TANUR: It is alleged that Minister V Abdurahiman scolded the boat operator when complained about the Atlantic boat that met with the tragedy at Ottupuram Thuwaltheeram beach. The fishermen of Tanur and the boat operator Muhajid has come to the fore. He complained about the boat Atlantic when Ministers P A Muhammad Riyas and V Abdurahiman came to inaugurate the floating bridge in Tanur.

‘With deep sorrow informed the ministers then. The boat Atlantic is illegal..but Minister V Abdrurahiman shouted at me. Minister Riyas ignored it,’ a noted channel reported Muhajid’s statement.

Muhajid said Minister Abdrurahiman shouted at him when he said the boat has no registration. ‘The minister asked if he is the one who decides that the boat has no registration.’ When told Minister Riyas about it, he asked to file a written complaint with his PA, but no further steps were taken after that. The floating bridge in Tanur was inaugurated on April 23.

A tearful adieu was bid to the 22 people, including 15 children, who died in the boat accident. Five women and two men were among the dead. A huge crowd gathered in each house.

Puthen Kadappuram Saithalavi's wife Zeenat (43), children Hasna (18), Shamna (16), Shafna (13), Safla Sherin (10 months), brother Siraj's wife Razina (27), children Shahra (8), Rushda (7), Naira (8), their relative Jabir's wife Jalsia (42), son Jareer (12), wife of Zainul Abid of Chettippady Vettikuthy Ayesha Beevi (38), children Adila Sheri (15), Adnan ( 10), Harshaan (3), Anshid (12), son of Kokkad Abdul Nawaz of Perinthalmanna, Aflah (7) son of Nawaz’s brother Waseem, Siddique (41) of Tanur Olapeedika, children Fathima Minha (12), Faizan (3), Hadi Fathima (7), daughter of Munduparambu Machingal Nihas, and cop of Tanur station Parappanangadi Chiramangalam Sabaruddin (38) are the dead.

The number of passengers on the boat that caused the accident is not clear. Tickets were issued to almost 40 people. Five did not board the boat. Tickets were not given to children. Revenue Minister K Rajan said 37 people were on the boat. The decision is to continue the search today and tomorrow.