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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.