Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday handed over ex gratia assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of 21 labourers from the state who lost their lives in a road accident in Arunachal Pradesh.

The accident occurred on the night of December 8 when a truck carrying 22 workers from Dhelaghat area of Gillapukri Tea Estate in Tinsukia district plunged into a deep gorge on the Hayuliang–Chaglagam road in Anjaw district. All the deceased labourers were residents of Dhelaghat.

During his interaction with the bereaved families in Tinsukia, Sarma expressed condolences and assured them of support from the state government. The Chief Minister’s Office stated that the government stood with the families during the difficult period.

Sarma also wished a speedy recovery to the lone survivor, Budheswor Deep, who was critically injured in the accident. The survivor managed to reach the nearest Chipra GREF camp two days later and informed authorities about the mishap. The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for him.

Apart from the Rs 5 lakh ex gratia given to each bereaved family by the Assam government, Rs 1 lakh was provided from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the treatment of the injured survivor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the families of each deceased labourer.

Authorities came to know about the accident only after the survivor reported the incident.