Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently met with the grieving families of 21 labourers who tragically lost their lives in a road accident in Arunachal Pradesh. During his visit, the Chief Minister announced significant financial assistance aimed at helping the bereaved families cope with their sudden loss. To provide immediate support, he handed over an ex gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased workers, all of whom hailed from the state of Assam.
The fatal incident took place on the night of December 8 on the Hayuliang–Chaglagam road within the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. The tragedy unfolded when a truck carrying labourers from the Tinsukia district plunged into a deep gorge. All 21 victims were residents of the Dhelaghat area, located within the Gillapukri Tea Estate. Expressing his profound sorrow over the event, Chief Minister Sarma offered prayers for the victims and extended his support to the community during this difficult time.
In addition to the compensation provided to the families of the deceased, the Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that ₹1 lakh has been sanctioned from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to cover the medical expenses of the lone survivor. Sarma has also issued specific instructions to the administration to ensure that the injured worker receives the best possible medical care. The Chief Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting those affected by the mishap as they navigate the recovery process.
The survivor, identified as Budheswor Deep, was the only person to escape death among the 22 individuals travelling in the truck. In a remarkable feat of endurance, Deep managed to reach a nearby General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) camp at Chipra nearly two days after the vehicle fell into the gorge. It was only after he reached the camp and reported the incident that authorities were made aware of the tragic accident, highlighting the harrowing circumstances surrounding the event.
