Senior journalists and writers have called upon the people of Assam and the North East to defy the diktat of militant outfits and celebrate India's 58th Republic Day.
Four militant outfits of North East, including the Liberation Front of Asom, have slapped a ban on Republic Day celebrations and called for a general strike on that day to protest the 'colonial Indian occupation of the region'.
Assamese litterateur Nirupama Bargohain and veteran journalist Dhirendranath Chakravorty are among the noted personalities who have urged the people to defy the militants' ban. They have requested the people to hoist the national flag atop their houses and in their own localities on Republic Day.In a statement, they said that Republic Day should be celebrated by Indian citizens in recognition of the sacrifices made by the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives to wrest liberty for their compatriots.
"The people of the state should remember those martyrs and freedom fighters, on occasions like Independence Day and Republic Day, by hoisting the tricolour in a befitting manner," said the signatories of the appeal.
They also urged the people to participate in a function organised by them at the Guwahati Press Club campus at 11 am on January 26.
Other signatories of the appeal include Rupam Baruah, Ajit Patowary, Nava Thakuria, Hiten Mahanta, Ranen Kumar Goswami, Bhupen Bargohain, Promode Kalita, Girin Karji, Kumud Das, Manish Goswami, Sabita Lahkar and Mukul Kalita.
