Shah launches new battalion at reclaimed land from encroachers
In a major push towards strengthening internal security and reclaiming State land from illegal occupation, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, on Saturday, laid the foundation stone for the new headquarters of the 10th Assam Police Battalion at Kachutoli in Sonapur.
The project, estimated to cost over Rs 260 crore, will be developed across 174 bighas of land recently liberated from encroachers. The ceremony was held in the presence of Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The site is part of a larger 708-bigha plot at Kachutoli that falls under the protected Tribal Belt and Block category. Until recently, the land had been under the control of illegal groups before being cleared by the State Government. The new campus is envisioned as a modern facility featuring advanced training infrastructure, residential quarters, healthcare services, and sports amenities. Future plans for the reclaimed area include the establishment of a medical college and other vital Government institutions.
Addressing the gathering, CM Sarma highlighted the Government’s uncompromising stance against land grabbing. He revealed that during the nearly five-year tenure of the current administration, approximately 1.50 lakh bighas of land across Assam have been freed from encroachment.
“Of this reclaimed land, around 1.10 lakh bighas belong to wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and reserved forests,” the Chief Minister noted, adding that another 3,643 bighas of Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR) land have also been secured.
He affirmed that the State would continue its efforts to free the remaining 40 lakh bighas currently under illegal occupation.
Emphasising a shift in the State’s trajectory, Sarma remarked, “Assam of the past has changed. The State no longer compromises with anyone. This is a new Assam — Atal, Avichal, and Agragami (Firm, Unwavering, and Progressive).
“He further underscored achievements in wildlife conservation, noting that stringent measures have effectively deterred rhino poachers. The Chief Minister also listed several developmental milestones, including the recruitment of 1.60 lakh youth into Government service, the semiconductor industry at Jagiroad, and the ammonia-urea project at Namrup.
Governor of Assam Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister Revenue and Disaster Management Keshab Mahanta, Minister Water Resources etc Pijush Hazarika, Tea Tribes and Adivasi Welfare Minister Rupesh Gowala, Member of Parliament Bijuli Kalita Medhi, MLA Atul Bora, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Kumar Deka, Director General of Police, Assam, Harmeet Singh; along with several other dignitaries and senior officials were present on the occasion.
