Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday met the grieving families of 20 tea estate workers from Gelapukhuri Tea Estate in Tinsukia district who died in a tragic road accident in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district on December 8.
The Chief Minister paid floral tributes to the deceased and presented cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of all 20 victims.
Sole Survivor Receiving Treatment
Budheswar Deep, the only survivor of the accident that occurred in remote Anjaw district, is currently undergoing treatment at Assam Medical College and Hospital. CM Sarma announced Rs 1 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for Deep’s medical expenses.
“I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured person undergoing treatment,” the Chief Minister stated, adding that the district administration has been instructed to ensure comprehensive medical care for the survivor.
Central Government Support
CM Sarma informed families about additional assistance 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.
Devastating Loss for Tea Community
The accident has deeply affected Assam’s tea garden community, particularly in Tinsukia district where tea estates are central to the local economy. The loss of 20 workers from a single estate represents a significant blow to the close-knit community.
Cabinet Ministers Bimal Borah, Rupesh Gowala, and Pijush Hazarika attended along with several MLAs and Tinsukia DC Swapneel Paul.