ULFA asks artists not to sing Hindi songs during spring festival

GUWAHATI: With anti-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) asking artists not to sing Hindi songs during the spring festival of Rangali Bihu functions which started on Monday, state government asked the artists not to get cow downed by ULFA diktat and sing Hindi songs.

The Bihu celebrations in especially erected pavilion across the state will continue for about a month. It is boom time for the artists as they perform in different makeshift pavilions.

ULFA's diktat is in line with People's Liberation Army of Manipur which has banned screening of Hindi cinema in the state. The ban has been there for more than a decade now.

Anti talk ULFA under the defiant commander in chief, Paresh Baruah in a statement to media houses said the ULFA called upon Rangali Bihu celebration organisations and all artistes in Assam to refrain from facilitating showcasing of outside culture including singing of Hindi movie songs as part of Bihu celebrations throughout the state.

The outlawed outfit stated that it will keep a close watch on all Bihu functions in the state and should any artiste sing a Hindi song, its cadres will raise protests at the function itself. "Showcasing of alien culture and performing Hindi songs was not in tune with the spirit of Rangali Bihu as it would provide people from outside an opportunity to look down upon on Bihu."

Assam chief minister, Tarun Gogoi who was on pavilion hopping on Monday said that the artists must defy ULFA diktat and sing Hindi songs and assured all protection from the government. "We want Bihu functions to stage different culture be it song from South India or Hindi songs otherwise how people will come to see."