THIRTY-FOUR more bodies were recovered from the Sindh river on Monday near Ratangarh in Datia district, taking the flash flood toll to 37. Three bodies of women were fished out after the tragedy on Sunday.
Police and Border Security Force divers were trying to trace another 17 people still missing. The victims were swept away while they were going to the Mandula Devi shrine in Ratangarh for Navratri festival. Anxious relatives thronged the river banks at Basai Ghat.
The government announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh each for the next of the kin of the dead. Terming the probe by State home secretary inadequate, the Congress demanded a judicial inquiry.
The party alleged that water was released from the Manikheda dam in Shivpuri district without any warning and demanded a compensation of Rs 10,00,000 each for the victims, most of whom were women.
According to a PTI report, the deceased included 20 women and a child. IG Vijay Singh Yadav said police and BSF divers were searching for survivors till late on Monday.