Arunachal: Bihar truck owner arrested over Anjaw accident that killed 20

Guwahati: Police have arrested the owner of the mini-truck involved in the deadly Anjaw district accident in Arunachal Pradesh that claimed the lives of 20 labourers.

The accused, identified as 36-year-old Bhushan Kumar Yadav, was arrested in Chapra, Bihar, after he reportedly went into hiding following the incident.

The mini-truck owned by him had plunged into a deep gorge in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, killing almost all passengers onboard.

Officials said Yadav has been charged with criminal negligence and multiple violations of motor vehicle laws, as transporting passengers in a goods vehicle is illegal.

His arrest takes the total number of accused in the case to three. Earlier, police had arrested two others on charges related to human trafficking and negligence.

The accident took place on the night of December 8 along the Hayuliang–Chaglagam road in Anjaw district.

The vehicle was carrying labourers from Assam’s Tinsukia district when it lost control and fell into a steep gorge near Lailiang, around 40 km from the Hayuliang sub-division.

The incident came to light two days later when the sole survivor, Budheswar Deep, reached a Border Roads Task Force labour camp after trekking through difficult terrain for nearly 48 hours.

He informed authorities, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation.

A joint operation involving the National Disaster Response Force, Indian Army, Border Roads Task Force, local police and district administration was launched on December 11.

After four days of extensive efforts in challenging weather and terrain, 20 bodies were recovered and one survivor was rescued.

Anjaw Deputy Commissioner Millo Kojin said the search operation was officially concluded at 10 am on December 15.

While initial reports suggested a higher number of passengers, police later confirmed that 21 people, including the driver, were travelling in the vehicle.

The survivor is currently receiving medical treatment in Tinsukia, Assam. Authorities said the bodies of the deceased have been handed over to their families after completing legal procedures, and the NDRF team has been withdrawn.

The district administration said the investigation is continuing to fix responsibility and prevent similar incidents in the future.