Northeast forces call for boycott of India’s Independence Day in Northeast
Guwahati: Northeast forces including the United Liberation Army of Assam (Independent) have jointly called for a boycott of programmes marking India’s Independence Day on August 15, 2026, across Assam and other parts of the Northeast.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the organizations, in a statement circulated on August 10, opposed celebrations of what they described as the “so-called Independence Day” of India, claiming that indigenous communities in the region continued to face what they termed Indian occupation and colonial rule.
The organizations said the people of Assam and the Naga community had distinct political identities, histories and cultures and argued that India’s Independence Day should not be celebrated in their ancestral territories.
They also criticized the Indian government’s approach towards the Northeast, alleging that Independence Day programmes were being used to normalize what they described as the political subjugation of indigenous communities.
The statement said the two organizations remained committed to what they described as the restoration of “sovereign independence”. ULFA(I) further said it would continue its armed struggle for what it termed the restoration of independence.
However, the organizations said this year’s call would not involve a general shutdown due to the ongoing flood situation in Assam. They said a shutdown could disrupt rescue, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities amid the flood devastation.
Instead, they appealed to people to boycott programmes and events associated with India’s Independence Day.
The boycott call was extended to areas in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland.
The organizations described the proposed boycott as an expression of political opposition to the Indian state and solidarity among communities seeking what they described as recognition of their distinct political and historical identities.
