NJ Thakuria
The State government has allowed 1500 participants and visitors at the central I-Day observation venue, whereas 500 persons at the district level and 300 at sub-division level celebrations.
Guwahati: As the nation prepares for celebrating 75th Independence Day, the Assam government relaxes some restrictions imposed because of the Covid-19 pandemic so that the common people can also enjoy the feeling of liberation on 15 August. Amazingly, this time the banned United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) has decided not to impose any ban on an auspicious day.
Through its latest guidelines, the State government has allowed a maximum of 1500 participants and visitors at the central I-Day observation venue, whereas 500 persons have been permitted at the district level and 300 at sub-division level celebrations. The directive strictly said that the celebrations must be organized in the open air and corona containment zones in both rural and urban areas to be avoided.
Meanwhile, the Ulfa (I) sent a media statement declaring that it was not imposing any general strike on the independence day, which was otherwise a regular feature for the separatist armed outfit, along with a few others, on every I-Day and Republic Day since its birth on 7 April 1979. Ten years back, preludes to both the sacred days were carried out by threatening statements and blasts in different parts of the region.
The outfit, however, did not forget to cite its old argument that Asom was never a part of India until the Yandaboo agreement was signed in 1826.
Its statement also mentioned the ancient Kamrup empire, which comprised most of eastern Bharat localities as a sovereign nation.
Even though the militant organization has lately lost its support bases drastically among the Assamese, it raised voices for a plebiscite to decide the political fate of indigenous people in this part of the world.
