North East: Six terror groups for R-day boycott

Six banned militants groups operating in the north-east India have issued a joint statement calling for the 'boycott of  Republic Day celebrations and a general strike on 26 January in the region.

The outfits which have called for the strike included United Liberation  Front of Assam, National Democratic Front of Boroland, Kamtapur Liberation Organisation, Manipur People's Liberation  Front, National Liberation Front of Twipra and Tripura People's Democratic Front.

The insurgent outfits stated that the strike would start at 1 A.M. on  January 26 and would continue till 5.30 P.M. "The general strike shall  cover all forms of transportation and movement of all kinds of  vehicles, all forms of entertainments including cinema shows and all  activities of trade and commerce. However, the media, medical services and religious establishments shall be kept outside the purview of the  strike. We appeal to the peoples of the region to remain indoors during the strike," the statement said.

'Let us not forget that sovereignty and independence is the only issue  of the conflict between our region and India.This conflict can be  satisfactorily resolved only when the core issue is addressed, either  by a plebiscite or by voluntary recognition of our legitimate aspirations by the Indian government. But, time and again history has shown us how the government of India is only creating divisions and factions within our struggle through their so-called "peace talks". It  is time that we learnt this historical lesson so that we do not fall in  the same pit again.Therefore, we appeal to the entire peoples of the region to stand firm on the issue of sovereignty and independence which is the only path to  our salvation and existence with human dignity," the statement said.