Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated two newly constructed district jails in Chirang and Baksa on Saturday, June 21, 2025, marking a significant step towards strengthening the criminal justice system within the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The new facilities are designed to collectively house 1,000 inmates and address the need for improved correctional infrastructure in the region.
The Chirang district jail, located in Kajalgaon, is recognized as Northeast India's first fully modern correctional facility. Constructed at a cost of ₹72.79 crore, this state-of-the-art prison complex has a capacity of 636 inmates, including men, women, and third-gender individuals. It is equipped with 60 quarantine cells, five solitary confinement units, and space to accommodate 35 detainees under the National Security Act (NSA). Furthermore, it includes a 28-bed medical ward for male inmates and a 10-bed ward for female inmates.
Unlike traditional jails in the region, the Kajalgaon facility incorporates dedicated spaces for healthcare, education, and skill development. Classroom areas and a well-equipped library have been set up to promote inmate reformation and eventual reintegration into society. These features align with the government's vision of transforming correctional institutions into rehabilitation centers where inmates receive vocational training and opportunities for reform.
The Baksa district jail, also newly constructed, adds to the total inmate capacity and adheres to modern correctional standards with similar provisions. Both jails will allow the accommodation of undertrials and convicted prisoners as the judiciary deems fit. Separate modern medical units for male and female inmates have also been added to the complex, along with essential infrastructure and security systems.
During the inauguration ceremony, Chief Minister Sarma emphasized the government's commitment to the uninterrupted development of the BTR, highlighting that these projects reflect the state's focus on law, order, and justice as integral components of regional progress. He stated that the infrastructure upgrades would support the judiciary in housing undertrials and convicts as deemed fit, while also focusing on reformation and reintegration.
Pramod Boro, Chief Executive Member of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), joined the Chief Minister at the inauguration of the Chirang district jail. He affirmed that the new facility would significantly strengthen BTR's law enforcement capacity, aligning with the commitment towards a reform-oriented correctional system.
Cabinet Minister Rupesh Gowala had previously inspected the Chirang District Jail and lauded it as the most advanced in the Northeast, equipped with modern amenities. Sidli MLA Nirmal Kumar Brahma noted that the establishment of a local jail would ease the burden on facilities in other parts of the state and prevent logistical and legal challenges of transferring prisoners across districts.
The inauguration of these district jails marks a significant step forward in enhancing BTR's justice and correctional infrastructure, aligning with the broader vision of inclusive socio-economic, cultural, and infrastructural development in the region.
