Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inspected the construction progress of the Swahid Smarak Kshetra at Paschim Boragaon on Wednesday. The memorial, dedicated to 855 martyrs of the Assam Movement (1979-1985), is slated for completion and public access by early 2025. Calling the site a “pilgrimage of sacrifice,” Sarma remarked, “The Swahid Smarak Kshetra will honor the heroes of the Assam Agitation. It will feature one of the tallest towers, along with busts of all Veer Swahids.”
The project, which began in December 2020 under then Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, is 90% complete. Pending work includes a light-and-sound system, an auditorium, and aesthetic enhancements. The 225-foot tower will symbolize the martyrs’ sacrifice, while the complex will host a meditation hall, a photo gallery chronicling the Assam Movement, and spaces offering ethnic cuisines. Sarma noted challenges in acquiring all 855 martyr photographs, with only 150 collected so far, and indicated that additional funding might be required to finalize installations.
The Assam Movement, spearheaded by the All Assam Students’ Union, aimed to combat illegal immigration and concluded with the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985. The Swahid Smarak Kshetra serves as a testament to the movement’s legacy.
