Tinsukia, Dec 18: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday handed over ex gratia assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of 21 labourers from the state who were killed in a tragic road accident in Arunachal Pradesh earlier this month.
The Chief Minister visited the Gelapukhuri Tea Estate in Tinsukia district, where all the deceased workers hailed from, and met the bereaved families. Expressing deep condolences, Sarma assured them of continued support from the state government during their time of grief.
The accident occurred on the night of December 8, when a truck carrying 22 labourers from Tinsukia district plunged into a deep gorge on the Hayuliang–Chaglagam Road in Anjaw district of eastern Arunachal Pradesh. Twenty-one workers were killed in the crash, while one labourer, Budheswor Deep, survived with critical injuries.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Sarma also announced that the Government of India would provide an additional ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. An additional Rs 1 lakh has been sanctioned from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the medical treatment of the injured survivor.
The Chief Minister wished the injured worker a speedy recovery and directed the administration to ensure that he receives all necessary medical care. He further assured that the state government would take steps to facilitate employment opportunities for the families of the deceased within the tea estate.
Of the 22 people travelling in the truck, Budheswor Deep miraculously survived the crash and managed to reach a nearby General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) camp at Chipra nearly two days later. Authorities came to know about the accident only after he reported the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed condolences over the tragedy and announced financial assistance for the affected families.
