Arunachal: Anjaw accident kills 19 tea workers from Assam’s Tinsukia district
Tinsukia: A pall of gloom has fallen over 13 No. Labour Line of Gelapukhuri Tea Estate in eastern Assam’s Tinsukia district.
Among 22 workers involved in the tragic accident in Arunachal Pradesh's Anjaw district on December 8, 19 lost their lives.
Family members are still hoping that their loved ones will return safely.
Mala Tanti, wife of Agar Tanti, has been waiting for her husband, who had promised that he would return home the same day. Agar had married Mala just 15 days ago, and the couple was full of excitement.
The entire family remains in grief while holding onto hope that Agar will come back.
“Agar told me he would return home within a day. On December 8, at around 6 am, he left with other workers from our line. On December 11 (Thursday), we learned that they had met with an accident on the Hayuliang-Chaglagam road in Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh. We don’t know what happened to them and still hope he will survive,” said Mala.
She added, “We were married just 15 days ago and had dreamed of many things. Agar promised me so much, and now all of it is shattered in a minute. I hope he will return home safely.”
“My son went to work at a construction site in Hayuliang on December 8. A contractor had taken them there for work. On Thursday (December 11), we learned about the accident. We don’t know if my son survived, but we hope he will return safely,” said Amit Tanti, father of Agar.
Most families are poor and went to Arunachal Pradesh to earn money, as work is limited in tea gardens during the winter season.
“We earn Rs 200 in the tea garden, but in Arunachal Pradesh, we get Rs 500–700 daily. That is why we go there for work. The entire labour line is in grief, and some are still hoping their loved ones will return,” said Biren Tanti, a resident.
Dhiren Chatriya (23) had promised his wife that they would celebrate Christmas together. His wife, Rose Marry, does not know what has happened to her husband but hopes for his safe return.
“When I was asleep with my children, my husband woke me up and told me he was going for construction work at Hayuliang. I did not get up because I have been suffering from a mouth ulcer. He came from the line area and asked me for his Aadhar card. I told him it was in the bag, and he took it and left for work,” said Rose Marry.
She added, “On Thursday, we learned that their vehicle had met with an accident. I don’t know what has happened to my husband, but I still hope he will return. We have four children, and he is the sole breadwinner of our family.”
Meanwhile, the rescue operation has been ongoing, and so far 19 bodies have been recovered by the team.
Assam Minister Bimal Borah and Tinsukia MLA Sanjay Kisan visited Anjaw district in Arunachal Pradesh to assess the situation.
“When we learned of the incident, the Hayuliang district administration and the Indian Army took immediate action and launched a rescue operation. The location of the accident is very difficult, making it impossible to work at full force initially. Today, at around 6 am, the rescue operation was resumed by NDRF, the Army, and the district administration. Fifteen NDRF jawans and 20 Army personnel were deployed. It is a tragic incident,” said Bimal Borah.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday visited the grief-stricken families of Gelapukhuri Tea Estate in Tinsukia, offering condolences and announcing financial assistance for those who lost loved ones in the devastating December 8 road accident in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, which claimed 22 lives, including 19 workers from the estate.
The Minister met with bereaved families at Gelapukhuri in Tinsukia, expressing solidarity during what he described as an “irreparable” loss for the community.
His visit came as the estate remained engulfed in mourning, with widows, orphaned children, and elderly parents struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the tragedy.
Former Doomdooma MLA and Tinsukia district Congress president Durga Bhumij also visited the victims’ families, assuring them of full support. “It is a sad and unfortunate incident. We hope the government will provide all possible assistance to the victims’ families,” he said.