ULFA, NSCN factions call for boycott of Independence Day in Northeast
In a joint statement, the two insurgent groups said this 'so-called' celebration of freedom holds no significance for the indigenous people of Western South East Asia (WESEA) – region straddling parts of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur.
They alleged that 'colonial' India gave nothing to the indigenous people of WESEA other than deceit, humiliation, exploitation and oppression.
'The British imperialists exploited, repressed and deprived this region and similarly, for the past 79 years, colonial India has maintained an even more pervasive domination in the name of independence,' the statement alleged.
The outfits said the highlight of their protest on August 15 would be a total bandh in WESEA. They appealed to people to extend their support to make the bandh successful.
The ULFA-I and the NSCN's Wung Aung faction call for the boycott of India's Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations every year. But despite the boycott call, people go out in large numbers to take part in the celebrations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Deport now, appeal later': India added to UK's fast-track deportation list for foreign criminals
India has been added to the United Kingdom's expanded 'Deport Now Appeal Later' list of 23 countries, under which foreign criminals will be deported before they can appeal against the decision. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer during a bilateral meeting, in London on Thursday. (ANI) The UK home office announced on Sunday that the scheme's scope will nearly triple — from eight countries to 23. The move is part of a broader crackdown on rising migration and delays in the removal of offenders. Foreign nationals from these countries will be deported once sentenced, with any appeals heard remotely via video technology from overseas. Explaining the rationale behind the decision, the country's home secretary Yvette Cooper said, 'For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on. That has to end,' reported news agency PTI. She added, 'Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system, which is why we are restoring control and sending a clear message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced.' Who all are on the list Previously, the list included Finland, Nigeria, Estonia, Albania, Belize, Mauritius, Tanzania and Kosovo. The expanded list now adds India, Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Guyana, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda and Zambia. The UK government said discussions are ongoing with other nations to join the scheme. 'We are leading diplomatic efforts to increase the number of countries where foreign criminals can be swiftly returned, and if they want to appeal, they can do so safely from their home country,' said UK foreign secretary David Lammy. According to the home office, the new approach will reduce the burden on British taxpayers, as offenders from these countries previously remained in the UK long after completing their prison sentences. Around 5,200 foreign nationals have been deported since July 2024 — a 14 per cent rise over the previous year. Meanwhile, official data shows foreign offenders make up about 12 per cent of the UK's prison population, with annual prison costs averaging GBP 54,000 per inmate. (With PTI inputs)
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Giani Harpreet is head of SAD's breakaway faction
Former Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh was unanimously elected as the president of the breakaway faction of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in a meeting of the delegate session held in Amritsar on Monday, a move that formalised another split in the 104-year-old 'panthic' party. Giani Harpreet Singh, along with other members of the breakaway faction of the Shiromani Akali Dal, in Amritsar on Monday. (Sameer Sehgal/HT) Bibi Satwant Kaur was elected as chairperson of the 'panthic' council of the faction. The Akal Takht-appointed committee held the delegate session of the breakaway group of the SAD at Gurdwara Burj Akali Phoola Singh in Amritsar. More than 500 delegates attended the meeting. Calling their faction as the 'real' SAD, the rebel Akali leaders dubbed the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led outfit as the 'bhagora dal', which defied the Akal Takht's directive of reviving the SAD on December 2, 2024. The fresh development is being seen as an open challenge to the authority of Sukhir whose leadership, these dissidents claim, has plunged the Akali Dal into a crisis. Former SGPC chiefs Bibi Jagir Kaur and Gobind Singh Longowal, along with Prem Singh Chandumajra, Parminder Dhindsa, Manpreet Singh Ayali and Surjit Singh Rakhra, were present, sending a clear message the breakaway group has their backing. When asked about the name of the faction, Giani Harpreet Singh said it would be the Shiromani Akali Dal. Asked whether they would get it registered with the Election Commission, he said, 'We will make every possible effort. If any need arises to move any court, then we will see it.' Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi, one of the descendants of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak and attended the meeting as a special invitee, proposed the name of Giani Harpreet Singh for president's post. All delegates supported the proposal by raising their hands. The proposal was first endorsed by ex-SGPC chief Longowal and then seconded by Akali leader Sucha Singh Chhotepur. To counter the 'degradation caused by political interference' in Sikh institutions, the panthic council was constituted, which will comprise the office-bearers and dedicated Sikh thinkers. 'The council will work for unity among the Sikh organisations and coordination. The party leadership will take decisions with consent of this council. The party will also revive the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF),' he said. 'Coming to power is not the sole motive of the party. We want to serve the people and panth,' Giani Harpreet Singh said, adding, 'I will never contest any election in my life whether I stay president or not'. Lashing out at the Badal-led party, he said, 'I am very thankful to Sukhbir and his associates that they removed me in such an insulting manner. Had I been not removed, I would have preferred to serve at the Takht and not become president of the Akali Dal'. Giani Harpreet Singh, the former jathedar of the Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, was part of the Sikh clergy that had declared Sukhbir and other Akali leader as 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) on December 2, 2024. In February, the SGPC had dismissed Giani Harpreet Singh as the jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. Earlier, Harpreet had opted out of the race for the post of president. But he was later persuaded to accept the proposal for becoming the president. Kaur is the daughter of the former president of the All India Sikh Students Federation, Amrik Singh, who was killed in Operation Bluestar. The Akal Takht, in its edict, formed a seven-member panel to start a membership drive and hold elections for the post of SAD president and office bearers within six months. A panel comprising SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, former SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar, Iqbal Singh Jhoonda, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Manpreet Singh Ayali, Santa Singh Umaidpuri and Satwant Kaur was entrusted with this responsibility. The Sukhbir camp, however, initiated its own recruitment drive, citing legalities, a move termed as a violation of the Takht's decree. Showing loyalty to the Sukhbir camp, Dhami and Badungar left the panel following which then Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh issued fresh directions to the Takht-appointed panel in February to start a recruitment drive. On April 12, Badal returned to the helm of the SAD with his unanimous election as president of the party. The Akal Takht-appointed committee, however, started a parallel membership drive in March. After completion of the drive, they held the delegate session. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann said the SAD will see more splits. 'Soon, there will be more presidents in the Akali Dal. Uncertainty prevails over the party's future,' he said.
Hindustan Times
30 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Punjab DGP directs officials to amp up security for I-Day celebrations
Punjab director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Monday outlined comprehensive security measures to ensure peaceful observance of the forthcoming Independence Day. Addressing the police force, Yadav reviewed the current security situation, counter-terrorism strategies and issued operational directives for inter-district coordination, high-visibility checkpoints (nakas) and continuous surveillance to prevent any law and order disruptions in the state, especially in border areas. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav (HT File) The DGP's visit was part of a whirlwind tour to chair law and order review meetings across key regions, including the commissionerates of Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana, and the police ranges of border, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Ropar. During the meetings, he also evaluated the progress of the ongoing anti-drug campaign, 'Yudh Nashian Virudh', and actions against gangsters and organised Punjab's zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, DGP Yadav instructed district police chiefs to strictly enforce the NDPS Act and ensure transparency in anti-drug operations. He commended the progress of the anti-drug campaign but called for even more vigorous efforts to eradicate narcotics from the state. The DGP also directed officers to focus on financial investigations, including the disruption of hawala networks, to dismantle the drug trade ecosystem. While taking stock of security arrangements ahead of Independence Day, the DGP gave instructions to all the CPs/SSPs to maintain peace and harmony by ensuring police presence at all important places, intensifying domination operations and other preventive and detective measures. He also instructed CPs/SSPs to ensure heightened police presence, especially in high-footfall areas, snatching hotspots and other sensitive locations. Night-time patrols and increased checkpoints will also be a priority. During the outreach sessions, the DGP engaged directly with officers of all ranks, encouraging open dialogue and sharing insights to strengthen coordination and further dismantle drug supply chains.
