Imphal: Six insurgent organisations in a joint statement today (Aug 10, 2004) said that they would boycott the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations and observe a general strike on that day in the North Eastern States.

The statement issued to a local press in Imphal said the general strike would start from midnight of August 14 and end at 17:30 IST of August 15.

In Assam, the general strike would be observed only in Guwahati because of the devastating flood in that State, the statement said adding that the organisations expressed solidarity and sympathy with the flood affected victims of Assam.

The statement said the organisations also felt proud of the people of Manipur for fighting against what it called 'State terrorism of security forces and against the repression of people.'

The organisations, which signed the statement, were United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF), Kamtapur Liberation Organisation of North Bengal (KLONB), National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), National Liberation Front of Tripura (NDFT) and Tripura People's Democratic Front (NPDF).

The statement also appealed to the people to remain indoor during the general strike.