Bhubaneswar, March 22 (IANS): A Lions Club president was arrested Saturday in Odisha's Sambalpur district in connection with the Feb 9 boat tragedy that killed 31 people, police said.
Police arrested Ramesh Kumar Agarwal, president of the local Lions Club after some victims complained that Agarwal organised the boat ride without ensuring safety to the members, Prateek Mohanty, district superintendent of police told IANS.
Agrawal based at the district headquarters town of Sambalpur, was also accused of forcing the boatmen to carry all the club members beyond the capacity of the boat, Mohanty said.
The boat went down in the Hirakud Dam reservoir, about 350 km from Bhubaneswar carrying more than 100 people against the capacity of 70.
Most of the passengers were picnickers.
Police have earlier arrested three people including the boat owner and two boatmen in connection with the mishap.