Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday reviewed the progress of the construction of Swahid Smarak Kshetra in Guwahati’s Paschim Boragaon.
The “Swahid Smarak Kshetra”, a memorial to commemorate the 855 martyrs of the six-year-long Assam Movement from 1979 to 1985, is anticipated to be accessible by early next year.
During his visit to the under-construction site of the memorial, the chief minister said, “The Swahid Smarak Kshetra, once completed, will be a pilgrimage to honour the sacrifice of men and women who laid down their lives during the Assam Agitation.”
The Swahid Smarak Kshetra, once completed will be a pilgrimage to honour the sacrifice of men and women who laid down their lives during the Assam Agitation.
The complex will have one of the tallest towers and feature busts of all Veer Swahids.
Inspected the progress today. pic.twitter.com/WWWb8UnsuM
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 20, 2024
The complex, which is being built at a cost of Rs 100 crore, will have one of the tallest towers and feature busts of all Veer Swahids, he said.
Although 90 percent of the work on the complex has been completed, additional work, including the installation of light and sound systems and the construction of an auditorium, is in the pipeline. This will enhance the aesthetic appeal and visitor amenities at the complex,” CM Sarma added.
The complex is set to house a meditation hall, a gallery showcasing photographs pertaining to the Assam Movement and an ethnic cuisine outlet for visitors.
The 225-foot memorial symbolises the magnanimity and sacrifice of the martyrs of the Assam Agitation, he said.
He stated that photographs of merely 150 out of 855 martyrs were procured for statue installation within the complex. He added that efforts are ongoing to get the remaining photographs.
He added that additional funding might be necessary to implement the light and sound facilities and auditorium.
The construction of the memorial commenced in December 2020, with the foundation stone being laid by the then Chief Minister and current Union Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal.
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The Assam Movement was orchestrated by the All Assam Students’ Union against illegal immigrants in Assam. The movement concluded with the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985.
The Chief Minister asked the Public Works Department (PWD) to complete the memorial at an earlier date.
