Silchar, Aug 15: Marking a historic milestone in its six-decade journey, the 6th Assam Police Battalion at Kathal Road, Silchar received its first dedicated main gateway on Friday, 61 years after the force was raised in the Barak Valley in 1965.The newly constructed gateway was formally inaugurated by Cabinet Minister, Kaushik Rai, in the presence of Battalion Commandant Dr Pradip Saikia, serving police personnel, retired employees and residents of the adjoining areas. Inaugurating the gateway, Rai praised the Battalion authorities for completing the project without waiting for government funding. He said the structure had been built largely through the Battalion’s own initiative and collective efforts. “The Commandant and the Battalion personnel took the initiative and completed this beautiful gateway through their own efforts. This deserves rich appreciation,” Rai said. More than a physical addition to the Battalion headquarters, the gateway has been described as a symbol of the force’s identity, discipline, heritage and longstanding association with the people of the Barak Valley. The 6th Assam Police Battalion was raised on February 24, 1965, through Government Notification No. HPL.700/64/57 dated February 2, 1965, with its temporary headquarters at Sanskrit Bhawan in Silchar. Its headquarters was subsequently shifted to its present location on Kathal Road in 1973. The Battalion was made permanent through a government notification issued on February 7, 1992. Recalling his long association with the area, Rai said the Battalion had been established before his birth and that its relationship with the surrounding community had evolved over several decades. “The Battalion and the residents of this area share an old and cordial relationship. That bond should be preserved. The movement of local people should not be inconvenienced, and coordination between the Battalion and the community must become even stronger,” he said. Referring to the old school and ancient Shiva temple located nearby, Rai said the area is frequented by a large number of people, particularly during the annual Shivratri fair. He stressed the need to preserve its heritage while ensuring greater coordination between the Battalion and local residents. The Minister also said he had approached officials of various banks to explore the possibility of opening a bank branch and installing an ATM in the locality. He noted that a considerable number of serving and retired employees reside in and around the Battalion area, while adequate banking facilities are not available nearby. Bank officials have been asked to conduct a survey and take necessary steps, he added. Expressing his happiness over the inauguration, Battalion Commandant Dr Pradip Saikia said the gateway was the first formal main entrance constructed for the Battalion since its inception. “Since the establishment of this Battalion in 1965, we never had a dedicated main entrance. After 61 long years, the main gateway is being formally inaugurated for the first time. It is not merely the completion of a construction project; it is a visible symbol of our heritage, identity, discipline and pride,” Saikia said. He said the principal structural work was initiated by former Cachar Senior Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta following a request from the Battalion authorities. The remaining construction and finishing work was subsequently completed through the Battalion’s own efforts.