The banned United Liberation Front of Asom on the occasion of its 'protest day'on Tuesday called upon people from all communities and all walks of life to launch joint movement to protest the 'genocide' resorted to by 'Indian colonial rulers' to suppress the voice of  'freedom aspiring' people in Assam.

In a statement issued through e-mail, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa accused the 'Indian government' of perpetrating 'Army rule' in the state. They say this is facilitated by providing even low ranking Army personnel the license to kill under the provisions of 'draconian laws'.

The ULFA leader pointed out that such 'Army rule' had not been imposed in other states such as Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh where strong Maoist movements are active.

He said, "The government of India virtually launched war on people of Assam since 28 November, 1990 and it was continuing for the last 16 years sans any respite. The recent unilateral truce declared by the Indian government against the ULFA proved that it was a war that was launched by the former on people of Assam 16 years back."

The ULFA observes this date as 'protest day' every year to register its protest against launching of Army operation in the state against insurgents 16 years ago.

The ULFA leader further termed the rulers sitting in Dispur as mere stooge to 'India colonial rulers' sitting in New Delhi. He said the colonial rulers in New Delhi had used the Assamese people against their brethren in the state in the name of anti-insurgency operation.

ULFA blamed the 'unabated exploitation' of natural resources of the state by 'Indian rulers' for the present state of underdevelopment and poverty in Assam.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Army shot dead a senior ULFA leader, Lalit Moran, in upper Assam. The militant was a top leader of the 28th battalion of the insurgent group.

A police source in Tinsukia district stated that the militant was shot dead in the early hours of Tuesday in Hatigarh under Pengeri police station following an encounter.

Jawans of the 19 Kumaon regiment of the Army recovered an M20 pistol, beside four rounds cartridges, one radio wireless set and one grenade from the slain ultra.