Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, inaugurated the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy in Dergaon today, which has been constructed with advanced training infrastructure and modern technological facilities. Additionally, the Union Home Minister laid the foundation stone for the construction of the academy’s residential complex.
In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah said that in the next 5 years, the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy will be ranked first among all police academies across the country.
Shah mentioned that Assam’s brave warrior and legendary, Lachit Barphukan, had led Assam to victory against the Mughals. He further stated that saga of bravery of Lachit Barphukan was once kept limited to Assam, but due to the efforts of the Modi Government, today his biography has been translated into 23 languages and is available in libraries across the country for children.
Shah praised the Assam government for ensuring that the entire nation learns about and draws inspiration from this great son of Assam. He added that the seed planted today in the form of the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy would one day grow into a banyan tree, and will serve the cause of policing in the entire country. It will be an apex police academy not only for Assam but for entire Northeast, similar to Kashi among pilgrimage sites; the site will be a new beginning for peace in the region.
It may be noted that the Government of Assam has undertaken a project worth ₹1,024 crores for the infrastructural development of the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy. Spanning a total area of 1,022 bighas, the first phase of this project has seen the construction of a five-storey building equipped with smart classrooms.
This newly inaugurated facility, built at an approximate cost of ₹167 crores, includes an arms simulator, a library, a computer laboratory, a research laboratory, a conference hall, and administrative offices. Furthermore, a dedicated museum has been established alongside a modern parade ground. In the second phase of the project, an estimated ₹425 crores have been allocated for the construction of residential facilities within the academy. As part of this phase, the project would include residential quarters for 240 families, a hostel for 312 officers and staff, and a residential hostel to accommodate 2,640 trainees.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sarma remarked that, for the first time in 400 years since the birth of Lachit Barphukan, the Assam state government has established an institution dedicated to his legacy.
Expressing his gratitude on behalf of the people of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked the Union Home Minister for his guidance in the realisation of this endeavour. He recalled that during the 400th birth anniversary celebrations of the brave general in New Delhi, the Union Home Minister had proposed translating his biography into multiple Indian languages and later visited Assam to inaugurate these translated works.
Describing Assam Police as a distinguished institution of the state, the Chief Minister stated that the Assam Police Academy in Dergaon has been instrumental in training officers and personnel, contributing to the development of a strong police force. He stated that ₹167 crores have been allocated for the construction of the Academy’s main building and a police museum, and in the next phase, approximately ₹400 crores would be invested in residential facilities for police personnel and trainees. He announced further plans for a large-scale sports infrastructure within the campus, similar to the one in Sarusajai, Guwahati, a CBSE school, a nursing academy, and a skill development centre to benefit both the Assam Police and the local community. He added that the state government is also considering establishing a police medical college within the campus in the future.
Dr. Sarma stated that Assam has made significant progress in law and order due to the state government’s sustained efforts over the past four years. He observed that the number of registered criminal cases has declined from 1,21,609 in 2020 to 50,215 in 2024, reflecting a 60% reduction in crime. He further noted that the number of pending cases has decreased from 1,54,280 in 2020 to 14,800 in 2024. The charge sheet filing rate has increased from 47% to 66%, while the conviction rate has risen from 5.5% to 25%. He also stated a decline in cases of crimes against women, from 26,352 in 2020 to 5,000 in 2024.
The Chief Minister said that the recent improvement in law and order, along with a stable and peaceful environment, has brought notable changes to the lives of Assam’s citizens. He noted that the state has secured investment proposals worth ₹5.23 crores during the recently concluded Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit, marking a significant step towards sustained development. He added that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of the Union Home Minister, Assam is advancing towards becoming a leading state in the country.
`The event was attended by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal; the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita; Minister of Agriculture Atul Bora; Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management Keshab Mahanta; Minister of Finance Ajanta Neog; Minister of Water Resources, Pijush Hazarika present along with other dignitaries.
