The United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) [ULFA(I)] and the NSCN/GPRN have issued a joint statement calling for a boycott of the Independence Day celebrations scheduled for August 15, 2026, in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland.
In the statement, the two organisations described August 15 celebrations as those of what they termed “colonial India” and claimed that the region’s indigenous communities have distinct political identities, histories and cultures.
The organisations alleged that India’s presence in the region amounted to “illegal occupation and domination” and argued that participation in Independence Day celebrations would amount to accepting what they described as continued subjugation.
The statement also said that the organisations consider the indigenous peoples of Assam and the Naga people to be separate nations with their own histories, identities, cultures and links to their ancestral lands.
ULFA(I) and NSCN/GPRN further reiterated their stated commitment to restoring what they described as sovereign independence. The statement included references to continuing an armed struggle, while asserting that their objective was political independence rather than terrorism.
However, taking into account the extensive damage caused by the recent floods in Assam, ULFA(I) said it would not call for a general shutdown this year. Instead, it appealed to indigenous people in Assam to boycott all programmes associated with the August 15 celebrations.
The organisation said the decision was intended to ensure that rescue, rehabilitation and recovery efforts for flood-affected people were not disrupted during the ongoing crisis.
The boycott call, according to the statement, would apply to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland.
The statement was issued in the name of Second Lieutenant Anuranan Asom, Assistant Secretary of the Publicity Department of ULFA(I).
