In Bihar atleast 40 persons were feared drowned when an overcrowded country boat capsized in river Gandak in Bettiah under west Chaparan district of the state. The tragedy occurred near Ghoraiya Ghat under Srinagar police station of the district. Three dead bodies have been fished out so far. Local divers have been pressed into service to fish out the missing bodies. The deceased were wage earners and were crossing the river on way to riverine areas. Superintendant of Police Nishant Tiwary said about one hundred persons were on the ill fated boat. Sixty persons swam to safety. The State government has ordered an inquiry into the incident and announced an ex gratia payment of one lakh rupees each to the next of the kin of the deceased. <br/>