Trishna Pegu Doley
Along with the nation, Sangbadik Sangha Purbanchal (SSP) paid rich tributes to the martyrs of India’s freedom movement on the occasion of 74th Independence Day at the premises of Pragjyotish newspaper in the city’s Bamunimaidam locality, following Covid-19 protocols with senior journalist Rupam Barua unfurling the national Tri-colour. Expressing gratitude to the martyrs who sacrificed immensely to make India a sovereign nation, Barua urged citizens to set aside 15 August and 26 January every year to pay them homage. Protests and demonstrations should be avoided on these two days so that all Indians can stand together as one, he asserted, pointing out that certain misguided quarters have no compunctions in airing their grievances even on such sacred occasions although they are very conscious about their constitutional rights. “India could adopt a constitution only after being freed of foreign yoke, thanks to the martyrs. It is the moral responsibility of every generation to recall their sacrifices and express gratitude as proud Indians,” he said. Earlier, at least eight banned armed outfits issued media statements calling to boycott the I-Day celebrations this year across the Northeast region. Calling it a ‘colonial Indian I-Day’, National Socialist Council of Nagalim and United Liberation Front of Assam (Independent) asked the people not to take part in I-Day related programs. They called for a total shutdown on 15 August in the region, terming it the Western part of South-East Asia (WESEA). In a separate statement, six other insurgent outfits namely People’s Democratic Council of Karbi Longri, Kamatapur Liberation Organization, Hynniewtrep National Council, Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup, Kangleipak Communist Party and National Liberation Front of Twipra called upon the people of Northeastern States to ‘take responsibility to make the I-Day ban a grand success’. SSP convener Nava Thakuria and Pragjyotish editor Khagen Saikia welcomed participants to the flag-hoisting ceremony, which was graced by journalists Satyadhar Matak, Raman Bora, Rubie Das, Girindra Kr Karjee, Sankar Gohain, Iswar Mahanta, Chandra Kr Barua, Kaushik Kr Deka, Sewali Kalita along with Pramod Kalita, Utpal Dutta, Jagadindra Raychoudhury, Basanta Barthakur, Bharati Kalita, Kishor Sarma, Ila Deka, Tina and Krishna among others. On the other hands , The 74th Independence day was celebrated by FTR HQ BSF Guwahati and under command units with great zeal and enthusiasm. Sh Rajesh Kumar, IG, IPS of FTR HQ Guwahati hoisted the national flag at border outpost Jaljali in presence of the officers /Subordinate officers and Jawans. During the occasion of Independence Day FTR HQ Guwahati and under command units organized 10 KMs Independence Walk, Tree Plantation, Barakhana and band Show. Speaking on the occasion Sh Rajesh Kumar, IPS, Inspector General congratulated the brave border men and their families. He said that the BSF is an elite force of the union which has executed all tasks assigned by the Govt meticulously. Further IG BSF planted saplings, followed by distribution of sweets to mark the occasion by the BSF troops.
