As many as 11 insurgent groups from Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura have called for a 'general strike and boycott' of celebration Indian Independence Day on August 15 in protest against 'India's colonial presence in the region'.
The general strike will begin at midnight and continue until 17-30 hours on August 15.
The groups stressed on the 'futility' of peace process initiated by the government with insurgent groups of Assam and Nagaland by 'luring freedom fighters to the so-called Indian mainstream,' and cited 'failed' examples of similar processes that had been undertaken in Mizoram and Tripura earlier by the government.
The joint statement issued through e-mail to the media read, "Present process of peace talks in Assam and Nagaland is nothing but dilly-dallying to our struggle of national self-determination."
"Genuine freedom fighters can't be lured by any prize and it is a wrong deed to compromise our genuine cause with personal interest," it said.
"Sovereignty is the utmost obligation (requirement) of a nation. We are fighting against the colonial India to attain sovereignty and will be fighting for it till the end."
The joint statement has been issued by the United Lo9beration Front of Asom (anti-talks), Hynnewtrap A'chik Liberation Council, Kamatapur Liberation Organisation, Kangleipak Communist Party, National Liberation Front of Twipara, People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Progressive), Revolutionary People's Front, Tripura People's Democratic Front, United National Liberation Front and United People's Party of Kangleipak.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened in the region, especially along the inter-state boundary areas to check cross border movement of militants.
While the Northeast Frontier Railway has minimised the night running of trains as a precautionary measure before the Independence Day, the police have mounted vigil on railway property and tracks to foil attempts by ultras to attack those.
