By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) has appealed to the residents of northeast India to defy the militants' diktat and celebrate the forthcoming Independence Day in a befitting manner. The Assam based scribe body argues that every Indian should observe the I-Day (and also the Republic Day) to pay their heartiest tributes to the known and unknown martyrs of India’s Freedom Struggle for their supreme sacrifices.
In a statement issued by the JFA president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria urged upon the people of the region to hoist the National flag in their residences, colonies and other significant locations in a festive manner. The JFA strongly argues that the Tricolor does not belong to the government machineries alone, rather it is a priceless property of the billions of devoted Indians.
The JFA also added that many martyrs of Assam including Kanaklata, Kushal Konwar, Tilak Deka, Bhogeswari Phukanani, Nidhanu Rajbangshi, Kamala Miri, Lerela Boro, Madan-Rauta, Hemoram Patar, Gunabhi Bordoloi etc laid down their lives for the honour of the Tricolor.
The forum appeals to the city based media persons and other nationalistic citizens to join in the celebrations of India’s 67th I-Day on the premises of Guwahati Press Club on August 15 next starting with the unfurling of National flag at 11 am.
It may be mentioned that a group of separatist outfits had issued a statement asking the people not to participate in the I-Day functions as a ‘mark of protest’ against the government. They also gave a call for a general strike on August 15 in order to boycott all kinds of celebrations.
The militant outfits including the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (Meghalaya), Kamatapur Liberation Organisation, National Liberation Front of Tripura, National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit faction) and the coordination committee of six Manipur based armed groups asserted that they would not tolerate any celebrations in the region.
The JFA, however, argues that every patriotic Indian should come forward to pay their homage to thousands martyrs of the freedom struggle against the British colonial forces on both the auspicious day.