DHEMAJI, Feb 1 - The State government has taken steps to preserve historic Habung area in Dhemaji district, the seat of the rich legacy of the Ahoms.
Attending the Me-dam-Me-phi celebrations at Habung on the bank of Korha river on Thursday, State�s Minister for Finance, PWD and Health Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that his government has pledged to protect and preserve the historic legacy of the Ahom empire, which is called the foundation of Assam history.
�We have a plan to preserve historical places and monuments like Habung, Charaideo maidam, Rang ghar and Habung to protect the legacy of the Ahom kingdom. We will launch a new scheme in the name of �Asom Darshan� in order to protect and preserve the historical monuments in the State and promotion of tourism in these areas�, said Sarma.
Sarma has announced Rs 25 crore for infrastructure development of Habung centre and make it a major tourist destination. He assured the people that he would place the amount in the next state economic Budget due on February 6.
It is believed that in 12th century AD, the founder of Ahom dynasty, Chaulung Siu-Ka-Pha established the capital at Habung presently in Ajuha panchayat in Dhemaji district on the northern bank of Brahmaputra river, but because of recurring floods and other natural devastation, he had to shift the capital from there to Charaideo in the present Charaideo district.
Habung is located in between Pachim Dhemaji and Dhakuakhana on the bank of Korha and Charikodiya rivers. According to historians, the name of the place originates in Ha-Vranga, an officer of the Kamarupa kingdom. It also means low-lying area in the Bodo-Kachari language.
State Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who had graced Me-dam-Me-phi at Habung last year had sanctioned Rs 2 crore for development of the historical centre, out of which more than Rs 1 crore has been released so far. The Habung Development Management Committee is taking up some construction works covering a plot of 250 bighas of plain land.
The day-long celebration was organised by the Habung unit of the All Tai Ahom Students� Union (ATASU) in collaboration with the Habung Development Management Committee.
Among others, Lakhimpur MP Pradan Baruah, Dhemaji MLA Dr Ranoj Pegu, ATASU chief adviser Ashini Chetiya spoke on the festive occasion.