PPFA Slams Militants, Appeals For I-Day Celebration

Guwahati: Patriotic People’s Front Assam (PPFA) today denounces the diktat of separatist militants on celebration of 72nd Independence Day and appeals to the people of the region to celebrate the auspicious day with fanfare.

The PPFA in a statement argues that every Indian should hoist Tri-colour on I-Day and Republic Day paying tributes to the martyrs of freedom struggle.

Only an ungrateful nation can think of boycotting an occasion scheduled for honouring the martyrs, asserted the forum. It may be noted that various rebel groups comprising United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), co-ordination committee of RPF, UNLF, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro) etc asked the people of Northeast to boycott the I-day on 15 August.

In a media statement, terming the region as Western South East Asia (WESEA), the militant outfits called for total shutdown with effect from Tuesday midnight to Wednesday evening in entire region. It also claimed that the I-Day celebrations were imposed in the area where as the people were demanding freedom from New Delhi’s colonial rule.

The PPFA however clarified that militants were only day dreaming to make the region independent out of India, as the people continue rejoicing the independence. Moreover the residents have joined in the nation building process participating in all elections to elect their representatives.

“Those militants must not forget that hundreds of freedom fighters from the alienated region sacrificed immensely for making India a sovereign nation. They faced the batons, bullets and gallows of colonial British forces during the freedom movement.

Those brave hearts should be honoured on I-Day and R-Day,” it added. The forum finally appeals to every individual and organizations of the northeastern India to salute the Tri-colour before demanding dues from the government and spare both the sacred days from any agitating purpose and dedicate I-Day and R-Day for paying tributes for known and unknown martyrs of freedom struggle.