Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the newly developed premises of the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Dergaon, Assam, on Saturday. Spanning 340 acres, the academy is being modernized in two phases at an estimated cost of ₹1,024 crore.
The first phase, worth ₹167.4 crore, includes a five-storey building with smart classrooms, a weapon stimulator, research labs, administrative offices, a museum, and a modern parade ground. Speaking at the event, Amit Shah highlighted the legacy of Lachit Barphukan and his role in defeating the Mughals.
Lachit Barphukan was a great warrior who defeated the Mughals and drove them back to Delhi. Today, in his name, the Assam police academy was inaugurated at Dergaon with all modern technologies, he said.
Recalling his first introduction to Lachit Barphukan’s history, Shah mentioned that he learned about him as a child but found little recognition of the warrior in later education. He emphasized that now, his story is being taught across the country in 23 languages.
“I was 7 years old when I got to know about Lachit Barphukan for the first time in my school, but till my graduation, we never read anywhere about the great General. He was kept confined to Assam. But now in 23 languages, his life story is printed and taught in the country, people are knowing about this great General,” he said.
He further stated that the academy’s modernization would be completed in three phases, with a total budget of ₹1,050 crore. He expressed confidence that it would become one of the best police academies in the country.
Reflecting on his past experiences in Assam, Shah shared how he had faced challenges as a youth activist, including being jailed during Congress rule. “I had been coming to Assam as a youth activist. I have been beaten here by the Congress, and during their rule, I spent seven days in jail in Assam”, he remarked.
Shah highlighted how Assam has transformed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, shifting from unrest and insurgency to peace and development. He noted that over 10,000 former insurgents have rejoined the mainstream due to peace accords signed in recent years.
Assam was once known for unrest and insurgency, but today it would be known as the place which will have India’s first semiconductor unit, he said. He also announced the government’s plan to invest ₹3 lakh crore in Assam’s infrastructure, ensuring job opportunities for both local and non-local youths.
Criticizing Congress, Shah accused them of pushing Assam into unrest while the Modi government has prioritized peace and development over the last decade. He also thanked the people of Assam for supporting the BJP in elections.
The Assam Police were fighting insurgency, and now they are busy in public service. The way you have supported BJP in every election, whenever we contested, you have given us big victories. We thank you for this, he said.
