The banned United Liberation Front of Asom on Tuesday gave a call for boycotting the 'Indian' Independence Day celebrations throughout Assam on August 15.
In the editorial of its latest issue of its mouthpiece -- Freedom, the banned organization that has been blowing hot and cold over the government of India's 'attitude' towards the peace initiative to find a negotiated political settlement to the conflict,' called for 12-hour road blockade in the state from 6 am to 6 pm on August 15.
The militant group stated that the freedom-aspiring people of Assam should not find any cause to rejoice on the Indian Independence Day. It stated that August 15 only reminded the people of Assam of the 'continued presence of Indian colonial rulers in the state.'
The ULFA has, since the past 25 years, been calling for boycott of the Independence Day celebrations. And it has chosen to stick to its tradition this year as well despite the ongoing peace initiative to facilitate direct talks between the ULFA and Government of India.
The banned militant group refuted the allegation that it had attached new conditions for direct dialogue with government of India but reiterated that the government must agree to discuss its main demand for sovereignty for people of Assam to pave the way for direct negotiation with the outfit.
The ULFA denounced the 'pressure' from the government to announce the list of ULFA negotiators to be engaged in direct talks and stated that it would be made known to the government when the talks take place.
It stated that the release of its jailed central executive leaders was necessary to enable the group to hold its central executive committee session to take decisions related to possible direct talks with the government of India. The militant group said that it was not game for accepting India's argument that jailed top leaders of the outfit would be released once the group named its negotiators.
The militant group also stated that it not only wanted a ceasefire but a complete halt of war with Indian security forces. However, it would be possible only when Indian forces were withdrawn from Assam, the editorial added.
It termed as a pressure tactic, the government of India's stand that 'Army operations against ULFA would continue till the militant group declares ceasefire.'
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