Kohima, August 11: The NSCN/GPRN (Yung Aung) and the United Liberation Front of Asom – Independent (ULFA-I), have jointly declared a boycott of India’s Independence Day celebrations on August 15, calling for residents of the so-called “WESEA region” to abstain from participating in official events.
In a joint statement issued on August 10 from the Council Headquarters, the Ministry of Information and Publicity of the GPRN accused the Indian government of imposing a false narrative of freedom on the region. The groups alleged that August 15 holds “no meaning” for the people of WESEA (Western South East Asia) and described it instead as a “painful reminder” of what they called the “relentless brutality” of Indian security forces.
“Freedom cannot exist on oppressed land and the WESEAN people will never celebrate the Independence of our oppressors,” the statement read, further alleging that “our people did not become free from anything on this day.” The outfits claimed the region remains under “occupation,” and accused Indian forces of committing war crimes and inflicting “untold pain and suffering.”
The statement urged residents of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland to reject official celebrations by remaining indoors on August 15, framing the act as a “powerful testament of collective resilience against ongoing oppression.” The groups also reiterated their resolve to continue their “quest for freedom,” saying “every inch of WESEA is stained with the blood of WESEAN revolutionaries.”
