Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday paid rich tributes to the soldiers of the historic Saragarhi battle on its 121st anniversary, and assured that the state-of-the-art Saragarhi Memorial would be constructed before the next anniversary of the event.

Chief Minister, addressing the gathering at the Saragarhi Gurdwara Complex, recalled the exemplary valour of the 22 soldiers of the 36 Sikhs stationed near Samana ridge (now in Pakistan), who laid down their lives after a fierce battle following an attack by nearly 10,000 Afghans on September 12, 1897.

“The soldiers of the Sikh regiment, led by Havildar Ishar Singh along with Naik Lal Singh, Lance Naik Chanda Singh, showed exemplary courage and heroism by fighting against 10,000 Afghans to their last breath,” he said.

The model depicting the architectural and layout work for the state-of-the-art memorial had already been finalised, said Capt Amarinder, adding that the Saragarhi Memorial Management Committee, under its chairman Major General JS Sandhu, GOC, 7 Inf Div, would oversee the entire construction work of the Memorial.

He assured the management committee that his government would extend full support in the execution of the iconic project as a befitting tribute to the Saragarhi martyrs.

Responding to the demand raised by local MLA Parminder Singh Pinky for establishing Saragarhi Memorial Institute for Competitive Exams in Ferozepur, the Chief Minister said that the State Government would take necessary steps after getting the matter thoroughly examined.

He also assured fulfilment of the other demand for setting up Saragarhi Club here.

Capt Amarinder announced that the State Government, as a part of its anti-drugs campaign, would examine the demand to establish a modern Rehabilitation Center. He also assured all support and cooperation on behalf of the State Government for the School of Special Children being run by the Army in Ferozepur Cantonment.