Imphal, January 20: Like in the past underground organisations operating in the North East region have jointly called for boycott of the forthcoming Republic Day celebration.

In a joint statement, the Kamotapur Liberation Organisation, Manipur People's Liberation Front, Tripura People's Democratic Front and United Liberation Front of Asom announcing the boycott decision also imposed general strike from 1 am till 6 pm of January 26 throughout the region.

The 'solidarity statement' of the underground organisations contended that despite India readying to celebrate 56th year of its constitution as Republic Day �for us this is the day when the Constitution of India was imposed upon us 56 years ago 'legalising' Indian colonial occupation of the region�.

Asserting that upholding the genuine and legitimate aspiration of the NE people is foremost among the revolutionary outfits, the statement observed that reorganisation of the region under the Indian Constitution is prolonging a colonial policy of 'divide and rule' that had not only created a myriad of ethnic frictions and conflicts but have undermined the basic principle of unity in the region.

Further elucidating the contention it termed classification of NE people as 'tribes', castes' 'OBCs' etc as pitching the indigenous people into contending opponents in the societies concerned which in short could be unarguably interpreted as 56 years of subjugation and fragmentation of the region on ethnic lines.

Such policy pursued by India has arrested the natural development of the region, charged the bodies while affirming that the region's destiny lies only in independent unity and coexistence with sovereign independence.

The UG groups also called upon the people to prevent any celebrations connected with the Republic Day in the region and to observe the boycott and general strike in their 'own' capacity.

Meanwhile, the Manipur people's Liberation Front in a separate statement reiterating the boycott and general strike call appealed to the general public to ensure such prohibition are not violated.

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