Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday expressed deep condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic road accident in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district and assured them of all possible assistance from the government.
A significant number of the victims were from Assam, including residents of areas under the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency. The incident has plunged families and local communities into profound grief and shock.
Sonowal visited Gelapukhuri in Assam’s Tinsukia district, where he met the bereaved relatives and conveyed solidarity during what he termed an extremely distressing period. He said the government stands firmly with every affected family and remains committed to extending all necessary support.
The Union Minister said he has been closely monitoring the situation since the accident and has remained in contact with senior Assam officials. He also instructed authorities to maintain continuous coordination with the Arunachal Pradesh administration to ensure that rescue and relief operations are carried out without delay.
Expressing his sympathies, Sonowal said his thoughts are with the families who lost their loved ones and he prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He reiterated that the government would stand by the victims’ families in this hour of grief.
Rescue teams continue to be deployed at the accident site, carrying out recovery operations and completing formal procedures amid challenging terrain and weather conditions.
A coordinated rescue effort remains underway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia assistance of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased victim. The Assam government has also declared financial support for the affected families.
Describing the incident as an irreparable loss, Sonowal said the suffering endured by the families is immeasurable. He assured that every possible step would be taken to support them and offered prayers for eternal peace for the departed souls and strength to the bereaved.
According to officials, at least 21 people from Assam’s Tinsukia district are feared to have died in the accident. Police said the mishap occurred on December 8, when a mini-truck carrying 22 people, including the driver, plunged into a deep gorge after losing control on the Hayuliang–Chaglagam road in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district. The passengers were reportedly travelling to Hayuliang for construction-related work when the vehicle skidded off the hilly road.
