Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said that Assam’s transformation in law and order is the outcome of decisive national leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, as he addressed the foundation stone laying ceremony of the 10th Assam Police Battalion in Guwahati.
Speaking at the event, Sarbananda Sonowal described the changes in Assam’s policing framework since 2016 as structural, systemic and measurable, marking a shift beyond incremental reform. He stated that under the leadership of Narendra Modi, India embraced the concept of SMART policing defined as Strict and Sensitive, Modern and Mobile, Alert and Accountable, Reliable and Responsive, and Tech enabled and Trained. Assam, he said, aligned itself fully with this vision and undertook a comprehensive transformation of its policing culture.
Sarbananda Sonowal credited Amit Shah with redefining India’s internal security architecture through strengthened intelligence coordination, infrastructure modernisation and a shift from a colonial era force model to a citizen centric and welfare oriented service. He said that sustainable peace across the country has been achieved under this leadership, with policing becoming more responsive, humane and accountable.
Highlighting reforms in Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal said the State Government replaced opaque recruitment practices with transparent, merit based and technology driven processes. This resulted in large scale litigation free recruitments, a first in the state’s history. Administrative restructuring and expansion of personnel strength strengthened grassroots governance and operational capabilities.
He also referred to the MOITRI scheme Mission for Overall Improvement of Thana for Responsive Image, which has transformed police stations into modern and citizen friendly centres. More than 100 new police stations have been completed and hundreds upgraded, supported by infrastructure investments exceeding 1500 crore rupees. These investments, he said, reflect the belief that strong institutions require strong infrastructure combined with compassion and professionalism.
Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted initiatives such as cyber forensic laboratories, women cells, child friendly police spaces and the Assam Police Sishu Mitra programme supported by a 24 by 7 Child Rights Resource Hub as examples of a more humane and socially responsive policing system. Technology, he noted, has been integrated into daily policing through digital case tracking, online complaint systems and strategic use of social media for real time grievance redressal and youth engagement.
He emphasised that sustainable peace in Assam and the Northeast was achieved through dialogue and decisive leadership. The signing of the Bodo Peace Accord in January 2020 along with agreements involving ULFA, NDFB and Karbi groups marked a historic transition from insurgency to integration. According to him, more than 10800 former militants returned to the mainstream and deposited over 1500 weapons, describing it as not only a security achievement but also a social transformation.
Sarbananda Sonowal said peace and security have enabled industrial growth, infrastructure expansion and enhanced investor confidence, positioning Assam as a gateway to the Northeast’s economic development corridor.
The 10th Assam Police Battalion project in Guwahati is being developed with an investment exceeding 260 crore rupees and a built up area of more than 42000 square metres. The integrated campus will combine residential facilities, operational infrastructure and advanced training amenities. Its strategic connectivity through National Highway 37 and the proposed Guwahati Ring Road is expected to ensure rapid deployment and future scalability.
Describing the battalion as more than a security installation, Sarbananda Sonowal said it symbolises a modern, professional and welfare oriented policing system. He concluded that reforms supported by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have positioned Assam as a national example of how strong leadership can convert law enforcement into a pillar of development.
Strong policing has enabled strong governance and strong governance is building a stronger Assam and a stronger India, he said.
