Six bodies found, minister visits family

Federal Minister Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah visited the family after they held a protest against the government.

SUKKUR: The bodies of eight-year-old Yakoob and Asif who fell into the Nara Canal along with their family when their boat capsized have still not been found. Meanwhile, the bodies of the other victims have been fished out of the water.

Following the family’s protest against the government on Saturday, Federal Minister Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah visited their village and expressed his condolences. Shah also assured them of the government’s cooperation.

On October 7, a boat carrying Ajeeb Mahar and his family to Tarai village across Nara Canal capsized in the middle of the canal. All but two of the family members drowned.

According to the DCO Sukkur, Inamullah Dharejo, the canal is the biggest of the seven canals that are connected to Sukkur Barrage. It is 50 feet deep and is a natural habitat for crocodiles. Since there are villages on both banks of the canal, residents have put up a rope that stretches across the water. People tie their boats to this rope and then move along for safety. In the Mahar family’s case, the ropes broke and the boat overturned.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2010.