The iconic Sootea Police Station, a landmark of India’s Quit India Movement, is set to be transformed into a heritage tourism site under a ₹5-crore development initiative announced by the Assam government.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation stone for the project on Wednesday, commemorating the site where freedom fighters first hoisted the Indian tricolour in 1942—well ahead of the nationwide call to raise the flag at police stations on September 20 that year. The act of defiance marked Sootea’s pivotal role in India’s independence struggle.
“This was not just a symbolic gesture—it was a courageous stand against colonial rule,” Sarma said during the ceremony. “Sootea’s contribution deserves national recognition, and this project will preserve its legacy for future generations.”
The makeover plan includes restoring the original police station structure, developing visitor facilities, and creating educational exhibits that document the site’s historical significance. The Chief Minister also announced funding for a documentary film chronicling the events of 1942, citing references from historians Heramba Kumar Borpujari, Surya Kumar Bhuyan, and Amalendu Guha.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to promote cultural tourism and honor lesser-known chapters of India’s freedom movement. Sarma emphasized that the project reflects the “indomitable courage and self-confidence” of Assam’s people and aligns with the state’s vision for inclusive development.
In addition to the heritage site, the Chief Minister unveiled a ₹2-crore cultural complex at Sootea’s open Bihu field and inaugurated two girls’ hostels at Tyagbir Hem Baruah College in Jamugurihat, reinforcing the government’s commitment to regional upliftment.
The transformation of Sootea Police Station is expected to attract historians, tourists, and students, turning a once-overlooked monument into a living tribute to India’s fight for freedom.
