JFA appeals for R-Day celebration Guwahati: Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) has appealed to the people of northeast India to defy the militants’ diktat and celebrate the forthcoming Republic Day in a befitting manner. Reacting to the boycott call of the auspicious Day by more than ten separatist armed groups, the journalist organization urged the people to remember the immense sacrifice of the martyrs of India’s Freedom Movement. “We should celebrate the R-Day (also Independence Day) to honour hundred thousand patriots and martyrs who faced all troubles to make India independent out of British colonial rule,” said in a JFA statement issued by its president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria. Mentionable that at least 12 outfits including the anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom, Coordination Committee (umbrella organisation for seven militant outfits of Manipur), Kamatapur Liberation Organisation, National Liberation Front of Tripura, Tripura Peoples' Democratic Front and Hynnewtrep National Liberation Front had called for a general shutdown on R-Day. They also urged the indigenous people of the trouble-torn region to ensure the boycott (of R-Day) starting from 1 am to 5.30 pm on January 26. Most of the militant outfits of northeast India have made it a habit to issue boycott call before every R-Day and I-Day as symbol of protest against ‘New Delhi’s colonial rule’ in the alienated region. However the common people start rejecting their appeal and joining the government programme and community celebration related to both the auspicious Days.
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