Dibrugarh: Twenty two labourers from Assam’s Tinsukia district went to Arunachal Pradesh for work, but tragically it turned out to be their last journey for all but one.
Twenty-three-year-old Budheswor Deep, the only survivor of the fatal accident on the Hayuliang-Chaglagam road in Arunachal Pradesh, said the accident killed most of the people. Somehow Budheswor managed to save his life and explained to people about the dangerous accident.
On the morning of December 8, 19 workers from Tinsukia’s Gelapukuri Tea Estate started their journey for construction work of a building in Arunachal Pradesh, but they did not know what was waiting for them. On the same day, their vehicle turtled down a gorge on the Hayuliang-Chaglagam road in Arunachal Pradesh, killing 21 workers.
Among the 22 workers, 19 were from Gelapukhuri Tea Estate in Tinsukia and have been identified as—Budheswor Deep (23, survivor), Rahul Kumar (25), Samir Deep (22), Pankaj Manki (20), Ajay Manki (30), Bijay Kumar (36), Abhay Bhumij (33), Rohit Manki (32), Birendra Kumar (24), Agar Tanti (24), Dhiren Chetia (28), Rajani Naag (24), Deep Gowala (28), Ramchabak Sonar (26), Sonatan Naag (56), Sanjay Kumar (36), Karan Kumar (20) and Jonas Munda (20).
“On Monday morning (Dec 8), at around 6 am, my brother went for a construction work in Arunachal Pradesh but for two days his mobile was switched off. I tried to contact him but failed. A total of 19 labourers from Gelapukhuri Tea Estate went to Arunachal Pradesh with him for the work. Today, we came to know that their vehicle met with an accident and my brother has died,” said Roshan Kisan, brother of Rahul Kumar.
Taking to X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Deeply pained by the passing away of 14 of our people from Assam in a terrible accident in Arunachal Pradesh. Our district administration is in touch with relevant authorities in Arunachal Pradesh and all necessary assistance is being provided.”
“Relief and rescue teams are prioritising locating missing or unaccounted people at the earliest. We are also ensuring that medical help is provided to those in need. My thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families in this tough time,” Sarma stated.
Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Mayank Kumar has confirmed that the labourers are from Tinsukia district and went to Arunachal Pradesh for construction work of a hostel.
DC Swapnil Paul said, “At around 11 am we got information that a vehicle has fallen down in a gorge in Anjaw district. Accordingly, we contacted the DCs of Anjaw and Teju for confirmation,” he said.
“Both the deputy commissioners of Anjaw and Tezu said that the rescue team has so far recovered 14 bodies and 1 person alive. Seven others are still missing, they said,” the DC Tinsukia added.
“We have sent a team from Tinsukia comprising Circle Officers and police personnel. They have reached Tezu and within 2/3 hours we will be able to speak from our district administration side,” he added.
Sources said rescue operation will start tomorrow morning.
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