Tinsukia: A pall of gloom hangs heavy over the 13 No. Labour Line of Gelaphurakri Tea Estate in eastern Assam’s Tinsukia district, where 19 of the 22 workers who travelled to Arunachal Pradesh for construction work are feared dead following a tragic accident in Anjaw district on December 8.
Families in the labour line continue to cling to hope, praying that their loved ones might still return home alive.
Among them is Mala Tanti, the newly married wife of 22-year-old Agar Tanti. The couple tied the knot just 15 days ago and had been looking forward to beginning their new life together. Mala recalls her husband promising he would be back within a day.
“Agar told me he would return in one day. On December 8, around 6 am, he left with other workers. On December 11, we heard about the accident on the Hayuliang–Chaglagam road. We don’t know what has happened to him. I am still hoping he survives,” she said, fighting back tears.
She added that their dreams have collapsed in an instant. “We had so many plans. I still hope he returns home safely.”
Agar’s father, Amit Tanti, echoed the helplessness that now grips many families. “My son left for construction work in Hayuliang on December 8. A contractor took them. On December 11, we heard about the accident. We still don’t know if my son is alive. But we hope he will return safely.”
Several workers from the tea estate had headed to Arunachal Pradesh to earn daily wages during winter, when work becomes scarce in garden areas.
“We earn around Rs 200 in the plastic factory here, but in Arunachal Pradesh we get Rs 500 to Rs 700 a day. That’s why many go there,” said resident Biren Tanti. “The entire labour line is in grief. Many are still waiting for their loved ones.”
Another worker, 23-year-old Dhiren Chatriya, had promised his wife, Rose Marry, that they would celebrate Christmas together. She now fears the worst but refuses to give up hope.
“He woke up early and said he was going for construction work. I didn’t get up because I was unwell. He asked for his Aadhaar card and left. On Thursday, we heard their vehicle met with an accident. I don’t know what has happened to him. We have four children. He is the only breadwinner,” she said.
Meanwhile, the rescue operation has been ongoing under extremely difficult terrain conditions. So far, 19 bodies have been retrieved.
Assam minister Bimal Borah and Tinsukia MLA Sanjay Kisan visited Anjaw district to take stock of the situation.
“When the incident came to light, the Hayuliang administration and the Indian Army launched a rescue operation, but the area is extremely difficult. Today around 6 am, NDRF, Army and district administration teams resumed operations. Fifteen NDRF personnel and 20 Army jawans have been deployed. It is a tragic incident,” Borah said.
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