Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday reminisced about his detention during the tenure of former Assam Chief Minister Hiteshwar Saikia, stating that he was beaten and had to survive on jail food for seven days during the Congress rule in the state.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Dergaon, Shah criticized Congress for failing to maintain peace in Assam.
“I have also been beaten up by the Congress government in Assam. Hiteshwar Saikia was the Chief Minister of Assam, and we used to raise slogans against former PM Indira Gandhi, saying ‘Assam ki galiyan suni hai, Indira Gandhi khooni hai.’ I had jail food for seven days in Assam. People from all over the country came to save Assam. Today, Assam is progressing on the path of development,” he said.
Hiteshwar Saikia served as Assam’s Chief Minister for two terms, from 1983-1985 and 1991-1996.
Shah further expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated Lachit Barphukan Police Academy would become the best in the country within five years. He praised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for naming the academy after the legendary Assamese warrior, Lachit Barphukan.
“In the coming five years, this police academy will be the best in the country. Brave warrior Lachit Barphukan helped Assam defeat the Mughals. Earlier, he was only known in Assam, but now his biography is being taught in 23 languages, inspiring students across the nation,” he added.
Highlighting improvements in Assam’s law enforcement, Shah stated that the conviction rate in the state had increased from 5% to 25% in the last three years and is expected to surpass the national average soon. He also announced major infrastructure investments for Assam.
“The Modi government is bringing Rs 3 lakh crore in infrastructure projects to Assam, in addition to the Rs 5 lakh crore proposed investment at the recent business summit,” he said.
Shah inaugurated the first phase of the revamped police academy in Golaghat district, alongside Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
CM Sarma highlighted the advanced training facilities at the academy, stating, “Taking forward Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s focus on SMART policing, the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy will house a weapon simulator to prepare our forces for real-world combat scenarios without hazards and costs.”
Amit Shah arrived in Dergaon on Friday evening for a three-day visit to Assam and Mizoram. On March 16, he will attend the final session of the 57th Annual Conference of the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) in Kokrajhar. The conference, which began on March 13, is taking place at Bodofa Fwthar in Kokrajhar district.
