Guwahati: Families of the 26 people killed in the fatal collision between a minibus and a truck near Kaziranga National Park will receive ex gratia assistance of Rs 9 lakh each, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday.

The victims died when the minibus and a container truck collided head-on at Rangajan on National Highway 715 on Friday. Several of those killed were college students returning from classes.

After visiting the accident site, Sarma said the compensation would comprise Rs 5 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Rs 2 lakh from the State Disaster Management Authority and Rs 2 lakh announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the Chief Minister, ministers will personally visit the families and hand over the assistance after the post-mortem examinations are completed and the bodies are transported to their respective homes.

Describing the incident as heartbreaking, Sarma acknowledged that financial assistance could not make up for the loss of lives, particularly for families who had lost more than one member.

“No amount of money can compensate such a loss, especially for families who have lost more than one member,” he said.

The Chief Minister expressed condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of the state government’s support. He also said he would personally visit the homes of all those who died in the accident over the next two to three days.

Medical care for injured, investigation under way

Sarma said arrangements had been made to complete the post-mortem examinations on Saturday. The government was also coordinating medical assistance for the injured at Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) and other healthcare facilities.

Additional doctors from Guwahati and other hospitals had been deployed to expedite the post-mortem process and ensure appropriate treatment for those injured, he said.

A detailed investigation into the collision is also under way to establish the circumstances that led to the accident.

“We will look at every possible cause behind this tragedy,” Sarma said.

CM calls for stricter traffic enforcement

The Chief Minister also referred to the relaxation of certain traffic restrictions at a recent Cabinet meeting in Nalbari, saying political pressure had influenced the decision.

He admitted that he had reservations about allowing the relaxations, adding that stricter enforcement of traffic regulations was necessary to protect lives.

Sarma directed the police and district administration to intensify road safety awareness campaigns and strengthen enforcement to prevent similar accidents.

The state government’s announcement brings the total ex gratia assistance for each bereaved family to Rs 9 lakh, as authorities continue medical treatment for the injured and investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.