Assam is all set for celebrating Independence Day on August 15 though the ongoing pandemic has led to low key arrangements for the occasion, while militant outfits have also called for ‘boycott’ of the day.
The weekend lockdown in the state has been relaxed from 6 am to 5 pm due to the Independence Day celebration.
The celebrations would be low key in the entire state as in other parts of the country due to the safety protocols in place for COVID-19.
No students will take part in the parades and there will be no cultural functions or tea gatherings at any of the venues. Frontline COVID-19 warriors will be invited for the celebrations, while participation of public would be kept sparse.
All participants in the parade and other official duties at the celebration venues are being tested for COVID-19 as a precautionary step.
The central celebration of Independence Day in the state will be held at Judges Field in the city as the Agriculture University Field at Khanapara area of the city is being used for COVID-19 Care Centres.
Security has been beefed up across the state in the run up to the Independence Day, especially at the celebration venues.
The banned United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) (ULFA-I) and the NSCN/GPRN have called for boycott of Independence Day celebrations in the entire North East region.
The outfits have called for ‘total shutdown of all commercial activities, administrative services and educational institutions between 12 midnight to 1800 hours on August 15 except for most essential and emergency services’.
Militant outfits of NE region, mostly demanding ‘sovereignty’, have been routinely calling for boycott of national day celebrations of Independence Day and Republic Day.
