Thousands pay solemn tribute to Assam Movement Martyrs in Tinsukia, Margherita

Staff Reporter, Tinsukia, December 10: Martyrs’ Day was observed with deep reverence and massive public participation across Tinsukia district on Wednesday, with Borguri in Tinsukia emerging as the focal point of remembrance. Addressing a sea of people at the main function organised by the district administration, Labour Welfare and Tea Tribes and Adivasi Welfare Minister Rupesh Gowala said the State government is making determined efforts to protect Assam’s land, people and identity. He said the core aspirations of the Assam Movement have been fulfilled to a great extent under the present leadership. Former student leader and retired bureaucrat Jogesh Baruah, delivering the keynote address, reflected on Assam’s long-standing sense of existential insecurity and said the concerns that fueled the historic movement continue to shape the collective conscience of the people. Earlier, DC Swapneel Paul paid floral tributes at the martyrs’ memorial, where portraits of Khargeshwar Talukdar and 12 martyrs from Tinsukia were honoured. A moving chorus of Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s ‘Shahid Pranamo Tomaak’ set the tone of the programme. Nearly 10, 000 people attended the meeting, and 860 lamps were lit in memory of the martyrs. At Margherita, Swahid Divas was observed at PM Shri Town High School, where MLA Bhaskar Sharma led the tributes at the Swahid Bedi in the presence of senior officials and students. Participants later joined the live webcast of the state-level programme from Guwahati. Speakers, including the principal of Bir Raghav Moran Government Model College, Doomdooma Dr Amorjit Saikia and student leaders, recalled the sacrifices of the youth during the Assam Movement and urged the younger generation to uphold its ideals. The observances concluded with patriotic songs and a collective pledge to honour the legacy of the 860 martyrs who laid down their lives for Assam’s identity.