Guwahati, Dec 17: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday evening met the bereaved families of 20 tea estate workers from Gelapukhuri Tea Estate in Tinsukia district who were killed 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 his condolences to the grieving families.

During the emotionally charged interaction, Sarma handed over cheques of ₹5 lakh each to the next of kin of all the deceased workers. Expressing his sympathy, he said, “I extend my deepest condolences to6 the families who have lost their loved ones in this devastating tragedy.”

The accident in the remote Anjaw district claimed 20 lives, with only one survivor. Budheswar Deep, the sole survivor, is currently undergoing treatment at the Assam Medical College and Hospital for injuries sustained in the mishap.

The Chief Minister also announced an assistance of ₹1 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund towards Deep’s medical expenses. “I pray for his speedy recovery and have instructed the district administration to ensure he receives proper and comprehensive medical care,” Sarma said.

He further informed the families that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced ex-gratia assistance of ₹2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Assam’s tea garden community, particularly in Tinsukia district, where tea estates are central to the local economy and livelihoods. The loss of 20 workers from a single estate has deeply affected the close-knit community.

State cabinet ministers Bimal Borah, Rupesh Gowala and Pijush Hazarika, along with MLAs Sanjoy Kishan, Bolin Chetia, Terosh Gowala and Punakan Baruah, and Tinsukia Deputy Commissioner Swapneel Paul, were present during the meeting.