Imphal, January 20: As in previous years a number of underground outfits operating in the North East including Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF), Tripura People's Democratic Front (TPDF) and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) have called upon the people of the North East region to boycott the forthcoming Republic Day.

In a joint statement, the insurgent groups have also called a general strike on January 26 from 1 am to 6 pm throughout the region.

It asserted that Republic Day celebrated every year on January 26 is the day Indian Constitution was imposed on the peoples of the region so as to legitimise their occupation.

Reiterating that the destiny of the region lies only in interdependent unity and coexistence with sovereign independence among the fraternal peoples of the region, it alleged that the Indian Constitution has undermined the basic unity of the region by fragmenting it on ethnic lines under their policy of "divide and rule".

Creation of 'tribes', 'castes', 'OBCs' etc pitching them as contending opponents for some 'benefits' thrown out by the Government of India have created antagonistic contradictions among the peoples of the North East region, it noted.

It also observed that the 'liberation forces' in the region remain divided into two lines, that is, those in 'ceasefire' and 'peace talk' process with India on one line, and those actively continuing armed struggle against the Government India on the other.

The Government of India's two pronged strategy is to suppress the armed struggles by massive military force on the one hand and to destroy the revolutionary character and organisational capability of those under 'ceasefire' and 'peace talk process' by corrupting them with money and comfort.

Alleging that such is the 'solution' to the conflict situation in the region, the insurgent groups exuded confidence that 'liberation forces' of the region will emerge victorious ultimately.

Hailing the 'freedom fighters' and 'struggling peoples' of the region for their unrelenting resistance against offensive after offensive of the security forces for the last several years, the joint statement called upon the insurgent organisations currently in 'ceasefire and/or peace talk' with India to return to the path of armed struggle.

It further asserted that the only path to the freedom and independence of the region is the armed struggle.

The insurgent groups also conveyed their faith that only armed struggle and people's resistance against the alien occupation can forge unity in the region for a common future.

They also reiterated their stance for a satisfactory political and peaceful resolution of the conflicts with India.

It further called upon the organisations and people of the North East region to observe the boycott and the general strike in their own capacity.

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