Krishna River Boat Capsize Tragedy:  Little Ashwika Cremated 

The last rites of little Aswika, who met a watery grave in the tragic boat capsize in Krishna district on Sunday, were performed in Kurukonda village of Nellore district on Tuesday.

Along with her, the last rites of Lalitha Devi and Haritha, who perished in the same tragedy, were performed. Lalitha Devi is Aswika's grandmother, while Haritha is her mother. They are relatives of CPI national leader Dr K Narayana. The whole village mourned the tragedy.

CPI leader Narayana, Sullurpet MLA Keeliveti Sanjeevaiah and several others attended the last rites.

It may be recalled that an overloaded boat of a private operator carrying 45 tourists, including three crew members, capsized near Ibrahimpatnam Ferry Ghat near Vijayawada on Sunday evening. The tourists, majority of them hailing from Ongole town, were coming from Bhavani Island to Pavitra Sangamam, or holy confluence of Krishna and Godavari rivers to witness 'Maha haarathi' ritual on the last Sunday of the auspicious month of 'Karthika'. As many as 22 people drowned in the incident.