India: JFA Appeals To Celebrate Independence Day In Northeast

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The Journalists Forum Assam (JFA) has appealed to the people of Northeast India to celebrate Independence Day defying the diktat of the militants. In a press statement, issued by JFA president Rupam Barua, the forum argues that both I-Day and Republic Day are two auspicious occasions for every patriotic Indian to pay their respect to hundred thousand martyrs of India’s Freedom Movement.

Mentionable that the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) with 11 other Northeast India based armed outfits have called for a general strike on August 15 with an aim ‘to boycott and prevent’ the I-Day celebrations in the region.

The joint statement issued by Paresh Barua led ULFA faction, which was endorsed by Hynnitrep National Liberation Front of Meghalaya, Kamatapur Liberation Organisation, Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup, Kangleipak Communist Party, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak/Progressive, Revolutionary People’s Front, United People’s Party of Kangleipak, United National Liberation Front of Manipur, Tripura People’s Democratic Front and National Liberation Front of Twipara declared about the general strike starting from August 14 midnight to August 15 evening (5.30 pm) throughout the region.

“We are fighting against the colonial India for sovereignty and will be fighting for it to the end. We appeal to the entire people of the region to be aware of the dirty ploys of the Indian government and rise to the occasion and make the boycott and the general strike a complete success,” the statement added.

However, the journalist’s forum has invited the Guwahati based journalists, newspaper-television channel workers and nationalistic people to attend the National flag hoisting ceremony at Guwahati Press Club at 11 am on Monday.

Northeast India, surrounded by Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet (China), Burma and Bangladesh is an alienated region where over 30 active armed outfits are waging a war against new Delhi from different demands ranging from sovereignty to self-rule for indigenous populace. Thousands of families have been ruined in the conflict situation following the emergence of insurgency and the counter operations conducted by the Indian Union Government.

Nava Thakuria

Nava Thakuria is a Guwahati (Assam, Northeast India) based journalist

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