ULFA Calls for Complete Boycott of R-Day Celebrations in Assam

Guwahati, January 25, 2020:

The United Liberation Front of Asom Independent (or ULFA-I) has urged for a complete boycott of Republic Day celebrations in Assam and urged the people of the Northeast Indian state to "stay indoors". The militant outfit issued its customary call of a "general strike" on January 26.

ALSO READ: “Assam Should not be Upset if Bodo Militancy gets Resolved”: ABSU Leader Pramod Boro

In a statement sent out by ULFA chairman Abhijeet Asom, the militant group has urged the people of the State to fight against "colonial rule" by protesting against the Indian Government and not take part in any Republic Day celebrations. However, emergency services would remain exempted from the boycott, the ULFA's statement said.

In the release, the ULFA lamented the state of affairs in Assam, and claimed that the region that was once successful in pushing back hordes of Mughals, has now been exploited by the Government. The ULFA also compared the current leadership of Assam to Bibhishan, the traitorous brother of 'Ramayana' antagonist Ravana.

The ULFA also lamented that despite the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act 1950, then Prime Minister Nehru, and his successors had not shown any initiative to resolve the foreigner issue in Assam.

It may be mentioned here that in earlier years, other militant groups including the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and the Kamatapur Liberation Organization (KLO) would also issue calls for 'bandhs' ahead of Republic Day celebrations. However, this year, the ULFA alone has issued the call.

"

It is pertinent to note here that as many as 644 rebels, including 50 ULFA cadres on Thursday laid down their arms in a arms surrender ceremony held at the GMCH auditorium in presence of the Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, 4 days ahead of Republic Day celebrations in the country.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.