Silchar: People from all walks of life gathered at Silchar railway station on Saturday to pay homage to 11 people who were killed in police firing on May 19, 1961, during a protest against the state government's decision to make Assamese the only official language.

Excise and fisheries minister Parimal Suklabaidya said the Bhasha Shahid Divas (Language Martyrs' Day) was a day to remember the sacrifice of 11 brave souls.

On the renaming of Silchar railway station as Bhasha Shahid station, he said the Centre had given its green signal to the demand and the state government would expedite the necessary formalities.

Speaking about the citizenship bill, Suklabaidya said those who fled to India because of religious persecution would be given citizenship and no force would be able to change this process.

People gathered at the cremation ground here (where the last rites of the 11 martyrs were performed) to pay their respects.

Former Union minister Kabindra Purkayastha said Hindu Bengalis need not worry as they would definitely be given citizenship.

Silchar legislator Dilip Kumar Paul said renaming of the railway station was not the only solution but awareness must be created to conserve the language to keep the tradition and culture of Bengalis alive.

A large number of youths and schoolchildren visited Gandhi Park here in the afternoon to pay tribute at the martyrs' column.

Various events like rallies and musical programmes were held in different parts of Barak Valley.

Organisations like the Barak Art and Crafts Society, Sanmilita Sanskritik Mancha, Assam College Teachers' Association and All Cachar Karimganj Hailakandi Students' Association also organised programmes.