Overview
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma activated the scheme on October 6 to institutionalise a service that had already brought back 24 bodies this year.
- Families can report cases via 112, the Special Branch control room (0361-2381511), WhatsApp (+91 91810-14888) or the Sewa Setu portal, with the option to contact the Chief Secretary or CMO.
- A DIG-level officer in the Special Branch serves as nodal lead, verifying eligibility and deploying officers to other states to assist with legal and procedural formalities in unnatural deaths.
- The programme targets students and low-income migrant workers and excludes affluent families and deaths occurring during medical treatment outside Assam.
- The launch followed heightened attention after nine Assamese workers died near Chennai, with Assam announcing Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia per family and Tamil Nadu granting Rs 10 lakh and arranging a special flight.