GUWAHATI, Aug 13 � Journalists� Forum Assam (JFA) has appealed to the people of Assam and Northeast India to celebrate the forthcoming Independence Day (I-Day) defying the diktat of the militants. In a press statement, issued by JFA president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria, the forum argued that both I-Day and Republic Day are two auspicious occasions for every patriotic Indian to pay his/her respect to hundred thousand martyrs of India�s freedom movement.
The anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), with many other outfits of the region has, as usual, called for a general strike on August 15. Others who have joined the chorus for boycotting the forthcoming I-Day include Tripura Peoples� Democratic Front, National Liberation Front of Tripura, National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Ranjan Daimary faction), Kamtapur Liberation Organisation, Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council with the coordination committee of Manipur�s seven militant outfits.
However, the journalist forum has invited the city based journalists, newspaper-news channel employees and patriotic civilians to attend the National flag hoisting ceremony on Wednesday morning at 11 am at Guwahati Press Club premises.
In a statement, the forum has strongly condemned the attack on mediapersons in Mumbai by a section of demonstrators, who gathered at Azad Maidan to raise voices against the violence in west Assam.
�In a democratic country like India, the demonstrators have every right to raise voices with non-violent ways. But it should not indulge in violence and in no way, the journalists and mediapersons on duty should be targetted,� mentioned the release.
The Jatiya Diwas Udyapan Mancha of Kumarpara, Guwahati, would also celebrate the Independence Day at the Kumarpara Panch Ali on Wednesday. Noted physician Shailendra Nath Das would hoist the national flag at 9.30 am to be followed by the National Anthem singing by schoolchildren. Various programmes including patriotic songs, and dance programmes, group songs, poem recitation etc., would be organised at the same location.
Debendra Kumar Das, freedom fighter and advisor of All Assam Freedom Fighters Association have congratulated the people of Assam on the 66th Independence Day. In a statement, the nonagenarian leader appealed the people of Assam to maintain peace, harmony and brotherhood in the society to ensure the progress of the State. Das, who is also the member of Freedom Fighter�s Welfare Committee, Government of India requested the ULFA chief Paresh Baruah to come to the negotiation table and fight for the rights of the people of Assam in a democratic way under the Constitution of India.
