United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) (ULFA-I) has issued a call for a "general strike" on Republic Day (January 26), reports East Mojo. The statement came hours after 644 militants, including 50 belonging to ULFA-I, laid down their arms during a ceremony held in Guwahati. Unlike previous years, this year, other militant outfits have abstained from calling a boycott of R-Day celebrations.
Separately, Dimasa National Liberation Army (DNLA) called for 24 hours strike in Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong Districts in Assam on January 25, reports Northeast Now. Altogether 17 linkmen and cadres of DNLA have been arrested from Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong and Cachar District including wife of an active cadre, while one cadre of the militant outfit surrendered before Police till date. The Hindu adds that DNLA operating out of central Assam’s Dima Hasao District, vowed to oppose any territorial threat the Naga peace deal might bring.
Additionally, National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 24 stated that they have filed a charge sheet against five alleged Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operatives in the Barpeta JMB module case, reports Northeast Now on January 25. Chargesheet was filed against Hafizur Rahman, Yakub Ali, Sariful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Hafiz Safikul Islam under the Arms Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The agency took over the probe in December 2019 on the basis of a case registered at Barpeta Police Station in Assam.
Separately, the issue of separate Bodoland State and Union Territory (UT) status is unlikely to be part of the package proposed to be signed with National Democratic Front of Bodoland-Saoraigwra (NDFB-S), reports Assam Tribune on January 25. The delegation of the surrendered militants is scheduled to arrive in Delhi on January 25 (today). Meanwhile, a senior unidentified Bodo leader who is part of peace process stated that that it has been made clear to the surrendered NDFB-S leaders that the demand for separate State and UT status will not be part of the Bodoland package. All the demands has to be made within the purview of constitution. Government is willing to discuss demands like political rights of the Bodo people, safeguard of their language and culture and related matters.