The ULFA (I) has announced that it will not call for bandh on this Independence Day (File)
The banned United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) on Saturday announced an extension of its unilateral ceasefire, announced in May this year, for another three months citing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paresh Baruah, the outfit's self-styled commander-in-chief, said in a statement that the COVID-19 situation prompted the ULFA-I to "unilaterally suspend all military operations in the state for another three months with immediate effect".
The ceasefire, first announced on May 15 for three months in view of the Covid situation, ended today.
Welcoming the banned organisation's decision, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he hoped the decision becomes permanent.
Since coming into office on May 10, Mr Sarma had urged the outfit to come to the negotiating table.
The ULFA (I), for the first time in its history, has announced that it will not engage in any "armed protest" or call for bandh on this Independence Day.