The 77th Republic Day was celebrated across Assam with patriotic fervour, marking the occasion with grand ceremonies, official addresses and reflections on the State’s progress in governance, security, and development. Two centralised celebrations were held in Guwahati and Dibrugarh, drawing large public participation and highlighting Assam’s evolving role in the national landscape.
In Guwahati, Governor Laxman Prasad Acharya presided over the Republic Day programme in Guwahati and delivered the ceremonial address. In his speech, the Governor underscored significant reforms within the Assam Police and emphasised the state’s proactive role in implementing India’s new criminal laws the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).
“Assam has emerged as one of the leading states in effectively adopting these legal frameworks, aimed at strengthening justice delivery and public safety,” he added.
Addressing border security, the Governor stated, “Assam has intensified surveillance along the India–Bangladesh border, particularly in Cachar, Sribhumi, Dhubri and South Salmara districts. A total of 14 border outposts and 14 patrol camps are currently operational through coordinated efforts of the Border Security Force and the state police.These measures have significantly strengthened Assam’s defence mechanism and helped curb illegal infiltration.”
Highlighting achievements in crime control, the Governor informed that the crime rate per lakh population has dropped sharply from 379 in 2021 to 121.6 in 2025. Crimes against women have also seen a substantial decline, falling from 10,546 cases in 2024 to 4,426 in 2025.
The Governor further mentioned that under the Union Home Ministry’s prison modernisation programme, construction of a high-security jail with a capacity of 150 inmates is underway at Hajo in Kamrup district.
On the issue of illegal migration, the Governor revealed that by October 31 last year, around 4.35 lakh cases of suspected foreigners had been referred to Foreigners’ Tribunals. Of these, more than 3.5 lakh cases have already been disposed of, resulting in nearly 1.7 lakh individuals being identified as undocumented immigrants.
On the economy, the Governor said Assam’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has grown by nearly 45 per cent between 2019–20 and 2024–25. He expressed optimism that Assam would rank among the top six States in terms of GSDP growth in the 2024–25 financial year, reflecting sustained economic momentum and policy-driven development.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the Republic Day celebrations in Dibrugarh, where he unfurled the national flag and addressed the gathering. He congratulated five Padma Shri awardees Haricharan Saikia, Kabindra Purkayastha (posthumous), Nuruddin Ahmed, Pakhila Lekthepi, and Shri Yogesh Deuri and paid tribute to the architects of the Indian Constitution.
Recalling Assam’s troubled past, the Chief Minister said, “Republic Day and Independence Day were once observed amid bandhs, boycotts, protests and bomb blasts. Today, we celebrate Republic Day by singing the song of equality, unity and development.”
Highlighting Dibrugarh’s growing importance as Assam’s second capital, the Chief Minister announced plans for establishing the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, an Assembly complex, and eventually a circuit bench of the Gauhati High Court in the city. He stated that according to Reserve Bank of India assessments, Assam’s development rate has reached 45% well above the national average of 29% placing the state among India’s fastest-growing regions.
Referring to investment and industrial growth, the Chief Minister added that out of proposals worth ₹5 lakh cr received during Advantage Assam 2.0, projects amounting to ₹3 lakh cr are already moving towards implementation. He also disclosed that Assam secured investment proposals worth ₹1.5 lakh cr through its participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The Chief Minister spoke extensively on land encroachment, stating that over 63 lakh bighas of land in Assam are under illegal occupation.
“Recent eviction drives have helped recover more than 1.5 lakh bighas,” he revealed, highlighting cultural and historical initiatives, including the development of Batadrava Than the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva and the construction of the Swahid Smarak Kshetra commemorating 860 martyrs of the Assam Andolan.
Efforts to curb child marriage and polygamy, recognition of Charaideo Maidams as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, classical language status for Assamese, and inclusion of Ahom history and Lachit Borphukan in NCERT textbooks were cited as milestones in preserving Assam’s heritage. The Chief Minister also spoke of taking Bihu, Jhumoir and Bagurumba dances to global platforms.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister highlighted transparent recruitment processes that have delivered over 1.5 lakh Government jobs, initiatives to promote entrepreneurship through “Atmanirbhar Assam” and welfare measures for tea garden workers. He expressed gratitude to the people of Assam, stating that the collective journey of development from the Barak Valley to the Brahmaputra Valley and from hills to plains is shaping a new and confident Assam.
