TEZPUR, Dec 11 - The dignity, safety, security, culture and heritage of the Assamese race are safe in the hands of the BJP, said Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday while urging the people from all walks of life to stand united for the future of Assam.
Attending the BJP�s Martyrs� Day observance at the Collegiate playground here, Sonowal, while highlighting the achievements of the BJP-led Assam government in the last four years, maintained that the people of the State have been able to live their lives with their identity intact only because of the supreme sacrifices made by the 885 martyrs of the Assam Agitation.
�We have to imbibe the ideals of the martyrs and come forward with dedication to work for Assam,� he said, adding he is confident that in the 2021 election, too, the BJP would come to power to deliver good governance to the people.
Earlier, Minister for Finance, Health and Education Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said although the 885 martyrs saved the people of Assam from infiltrators during the 1980s, the State is once again being engulfed by these forces.
�Day by day, the evil forces, be it the Bangladeshi infiltrators, the fundamentalist forces, or the process of Islamic radicalisation, etc, have been growing in the Northeast, posing a serious threat to the region.� Dr Sarma said people would have to give a united fight against these forces.
He also announced an allocation of Rs 2.5 crore for completion of the project that was started at Swahid Bakori here in the 1990s in the memory of the Assam Agitation martyrs.
BJP state president Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Tezpur MP Pallab Lochan Das, Sootea MLA Padma Hazarika, BJP�s national secretary Dilip Saikia, president of State BJP Yuba Marcha Anup Barman and others also spoke on the occasion.
Patacharkuchi ANN Service adds: Swahid Divas was also observed at Pathsala with a series of programmes organised by the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP).
Attending a meeting held at Bhagabati Kshetra, Pathsala, AGP president Atul Bora asserted that the party would always dedicate itself for peace and development in the State. �The AGP was formed immediately after the historic Assam Movement, and we are committed to working for the people of Assam,� Bora said.
The programme was attended by senior party members like Birendra Prasad Baishya, Phani Bhushan Choudhury, Keshab Mahanta, Dr Kamala Kalita and Bhupen Roy.
Earlier, the party flag was hoisted by Gunin Das, president of the Barpeta unit of AGP. Swahid tarpan was offered by Radha Talukdar, elder brother of Swahid Khargeswar Talukdar.
Dr Ranjit Deka, president of the Swahid Divas celebration committee, told mediapersons later that the AGP is still a strong force in the constituency.
Meanwhile, the Bajali AASU unit also observed the day in a befitting manner.