Thu Dec 11 02:00:36 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article:
Summary:
On December 10, 2025, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Swahid Smarak Kshetra, a memorial honoring 860 martyrs of the Assam Movement, a violent agitation from 1979-1985 aimed at removing “illegal immigrants” from the state. The inauguration coincided with Swahid Divas, commemorating the death of Khargeswar Talukdar, considered the first martyr of the movement. Sarma expressed concerns about the changing demographics of Assam, with a significant portion of the population originating from Bangladesh, and emphasized the need to protect Assam’s culture and heritage. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah acknowledged the sacrifices made during the Assam Movement.
News Article:
Assam Honors Martyrs of Anti-Immigration Movement with New Memorial
Guwahati, Assam – December 11, 2025 – Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma yesterday unveiled the Swahid Smarak Kshetra, a memorial dedicated to the 860 individuals who lost their lives during the Assam Movement. The movement, a six-year agitation beginning in 1979, sought to expel “illegal immigrants” from the state. The inauguration coincided with Swahid Divas, observed on December 10th, marking the death anniversary of Khargeswar Talukdar, widely recognized as the first martyr of the movement.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Guwahati, Sarma expressed deep concerns about the evolving demographic landscape of Assam. He stated that a substantial portion of the state’s population now originates from Bangladesh, leading to a marginalization of Assamese culture and economic opportunities for its original inhabitants. “From safeguarding our culture and heritage to reclaiming our lands, every effort is dedicated to protecting the pride and the rights of everyone in Assam,” he declared.
The Assam Movement concluded in 1985 with the signing of the Assam Accord.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also acknowledged the significance of the Assam Movement. On social media platform X, the prime minister said, “Today, on Swahid Diwas, we recall the valour of all those who were a part of the Assam Movement. The Movement will always have a prime place in our history.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah echoed these sentiments, paying tribute to the sacrifices made by the people of Assam during the agitation. The new memorial serves as a powerful reminder of a turbulent period in Assam’s history and the ongoing concerns surrounding immigration and cultural preservation.
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