Defying the boycott call of militants outfit and braving the incessant rain, a large number of people came out in the north-eastern states to observe the Independence Day on Friday. Though, there was general holiday on Friday, the streets of Guwahati were full of activity. The college students took out motorbike rallies to observe the day with great zeal and enthusiasm. Five militant groups, including Ulfa(I) had called for a general strike from midnight of Thursday to wee hours of Saturday in the north-eastern states. Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi while unfurling the national flag at Khanapara Veterinary College playground urged the militant groups to return to the mainstream by giving up arms. He said, “Violence cannot solve any problem. So, I appeal to all the militants to shun the path of violence.” The chief minister said, “The situation in Assam has been changing since 2001. The frustration among the people has been replaced with hope. The state was in a financial mess when my government took over.
We have stressed on the creation of employment and increasing per capita income.”