Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday evening met the grieving families of 20 tea estate workers from Gelapukhuri Tea Estate in Tinsukia district who perished in a tragic road accident in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district on December 8. The Chief Minister paid floral tributes to the deceased and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
During the emotionally charged meeting, the Chief Minister presented cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of all 20 deceased workers. “I express my profound condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this devastating tragedy,” the Chief Minister said, offering his deepest sympathies to the grief-stricken families.
The accident, which occurred in the remote Anjaw district, claimed 20 lives, leaving only one survivor. Budheswar Deep, the sole person to survive the catastrophe, is currently receiving medical treatment at the Assam Medical College and Hospital for injuries sustained in the accident.
The Chief Minister announced Rs 1 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund specifically for Deep’s medical expenses.“I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured person undergoing treatment,” CM Sarma stated, adding that the district administration has been given clear instructions to ensure the survivor receives proper and comprehensive medical care.
The Chief Minister also informed the families about additional support from the central government. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already announced an ex-gratia financial grant of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured,” he revealed.
The devastating accident has sent shockwaves through Assam’s tea garden community, particularly in Tinsukia district, where tea estates form the backbone of the local economy and employ thousands of workers. The loss of 20 workers from a single estate represents an unprecedented tragedy for the close-knit community.
State cabinet Ministers Bimal Borah, Rupesh Gowala, and Pijush Hazarika were present, along with MLAs Sanjoy Kishan, Bolin Chetia, Terosh Gowala, and Punakan Baruah, Tinsukia DC Swapneel Paul were present on the occasion.
