Rs 100cr Assam agitation martyrs’ memorial to be ready in Dec

Guwahati: State’s first ever ‘Swahid Smarak Kshetra and Udyan’, a grand structure dedicated to the martyrs of the six-years-long Assam agitation against illegal infiltration by Bangladeshis from 1979 to 1985, is set to be inaugurated in Dec, marking a historic tribute to those who laid down their lives for Assam’s cause.Officials from the cultural affairs department said the work on the structure, spread over 116 bighas, is almost complete.Taking to ‘X’ on Saturday, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, “On 10th Dec, Assam will witness a historic moment as we unveil the state’s first official, grand Swahid Smarak in Guwahati. I urge every household to light a lamp that evening in honour of the brave martyrs of the Assam movement.

Let the timeless anthem “Swahid Pranamu Tumak” resonate across our state, reminding us of their sacrifice and inspiring us to build the Assam they dreamed of.

”The memorial is located in the city’s Boragaon area, and is being constructed with a budget of Rs 100 crore. In the first phase of the project, about Rs 95 crore has been allocated. The centrepiece will feature three 60-metre-tall statues representing abstract human figures.

The complex will also include reception and demonstration halls displaying portraits of the martyrs, a meditation hall, and a viewing gallery offering panoramic view from a height of 51.6 metres, accessible by an elevator.A three-metre-wide walkway will encircle the monument, separated by a waterbody that adds to the site’s visual appeal. Additional facilities such as an ethnic food court, an administrative block, and extensive security and surveillance systems are also part of the design, making the memorial not only an architectural landmark but a place of reflection and cultural expression. Meanwhile, the ground floor of the structure will house statues of 860 martyrs of the Assam movement, and it will be known as the ‘hall of fame’.In the second phase, plans include construction of a 500-seat auditorium, a 1,050-capacity open-air theatre, infrastructure for a laser light and sound show on the water fountain with an audience gallery, among other developments.