The Arunachal Pradesh government and the Centre have announced ex gratia assistance for the victims of a tragic road accident in Anjaw district that claimed at least 17 lives, officials said.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced a financial aid of ₹5 lakh each to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the accident. In addition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh per deceased from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). Financial assistance will also be extended to those injured in the mishap as per existing norms.
The accident occurred when a vehicle carrying several passengers skidded off a mountainous road and plunged into a deep gorge in the remote district. Rescue and recovery operations were immediately launched by the district administration with the help of police, disaster response teams and local residents, despite difficult terrain and challenging weather conditions.
Officials confirmed that 17 bodies have been recovered so far, and efforts were undertaken to ensure that no one remained trapped at the accident site. The injured were shifted to nearby health facilities, while those in critical condition were referred to higher medical centres for specialised treatment.
Expressing grief over the incident, Chief Minister Khandu conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of all possible support from the state government. The Prime Minister also expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
The district administration has ordered an inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident. Authorities have once again urged drivers to exercise caution while travelling on hilly roads, particularly in remote and landslide-prone areas.
The tragic incident has highlighted the persistent challenges of road safety and emergency response in Arunachal Pradesh’s mountainous regions, underscoring the need for improved infrastructure and preventive measures.
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