ULFA firm on April 20 Assam shutdown

Guwahati, April 17 (IANS) The anti-talk faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Tuesday reiterated its call for a state-wide shutdown April 20 to protest against the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Assam.

In an emailed statement to media, the outfit's publicity secretary Joy Asom appealed to the people of Assam to play a conscious role so that "unwanted" situations can be avoided during the shutdown.

The prime minister is scheduled to inaugurate the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Assam Legislative Assembly at Dispur during his visit.

The ULFA faction also refuted the claims of Sonitpur district police, who had arrested four people, including a woman, a few days back on charges of their being ULFA linkmen, saying that they were not associated with the outfit in any way.