PM Modi paid tribute to the martyrs of Assam movement, visited Swahid Memorial area

PM Modi News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid emotional tribute to the martyrs of the Assam movement at the ‘Swahid Memorial Area’ in Guwahati. This movement against foreign infiltrators lasted for six years, in which 860 people lost their lives. This memorial was inaugurated earlier this month. The Prime Minister visited the memorial along with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other dignitaries. He visited the Martyr Gallery, where the statues of those killed in the movement are installed.

PM Modi garlanded the statue of first martyr Khargeshwar Talukdar of the movement. Talukdar died on 10 December 1979. A flame always remains lit in the memorial in memory of the martyrs. Built at a cost of Rs 170 crore, this memorial is equipped with modern facilities. It has arrangements for a reservoir, auditorium, prayer hall, cycle track and sound and light show, which will highlight various aspects of the Assam movement and the history of the state.

The Assam Movement (1979–1985) was led by the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad. Its main objective was to identify illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and expel them from the state. During this movement, there were widespread demonstrations, strikes and police action, in which hundreds of people were martyred. The movement culminated in 1985 with the Assam Accord, which was signed by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

This visit of the Prime Minister is being considered important for Assam, because this movement is deeply linked to the cultural and political identity of the state. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said at the inauguration of the memorial that it would give a permanent tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs and introduce the coming generations to Assam’s fight for self-respect. PM Modi’s memorial visit also highlights the achievements of the BJP government in Assam. The construction of the memorial was an ambitious project of the state government, which took several years to complete.

Through sound and light show, visitors will get the opportunity to see the events of the movement, the story of heroism and sacrifice in a live form. Paying tribute to the martyrs of the Assam movement, the Prime Minister observed silence and inspected various parts of the memorial. A large number of people were present on this occasion, who had gathered to remember the martyrs.