Guwahati: As India will be celebrating its 75th Independence on Sunday, a statement from the banned militant outfit the United Liberation Front of Asom – Independent (ULFA-I) informed that owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, the ongoing three month-long unilateral ceasefire will be extended for a span of another three months.
The statement from ULFA-I read, "As our unilateral ceasefire announced on 15/05/2021 for three months will expire today but seeing there is no stability of the COVID-19 situation, ULFA-I have decided to extend the unilateral ceasefire for next three months."
The statement was signed by the outfit ULFA-I's Commander-in-Chief Paresh Baruah.
Earlier on August 11, the Ulfa (I) had for the very first time decided not to call for 'Assam Bandh' on August 15, keeping in view the current pandemic situation.
Further, it has demanded the Centre to amend the Constitution of India to felicitate a dialogue with the outfit. ULFA-I cited the second article of the Treaty of Yandaboo, which was signed on February 24, 1826, between the East India Company and Burma.
C-in-C Paresh Baruah said that according to the second article of the treaty, Burma and East India Company had accepted the sovereignty of Assam and was not transferred to British India.
ULFA-I stated that it is ready for discussion on Assam's sovereignty, by putting forth "historical facts" and in line with the objective of the outfit. The ULFA-I further demanded the Government of India to bring in a constitutional amendment, which will pave way for discussions.
"The Constitution has been amended many times by India. So, why can't India amend it again and have discussions with us?" ULFA-I said.
Meanwhile, the United Liberation Front of Asom – Independent (ULFA-I) also congratulated Assam's Lovlina Borgohain for bringing laurels to Assam by winning a bronze medal in women's boxing in the 69 kg category at Tokyo Olympics.
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