Guwahati, 14th April: The skies reverberated with the tunes of Bihu songs as a video emerged showing cadres of the United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) celebrating Bohag Bihu. The cadres, adorned in traditional Assamese attire including camouflage trousers and silk kurtas, joined in the festivities, dancing to the rhythmic beats of dhol, pepa, and gogona.
In the video, the masked cadres could be seen participating in ‘Husori,’ a traditional Bihu dance, while singing songs that expressed their aspirations for independence. The celebration, held at an undisclosed location in Myanmar, showcased the rebel group’s embrace of Assamese culture amidst their struggle for autonomy.
The 5-minute video captured moments of camaraderie as the cadres danced in a circle, immersed in the joyous spirit of the festival. This is not the first instance of ULFA-I cadres sharing videos of their cultural celebrations; previously, they had also posted footage of their Magh Bihu festivities, highlighting their connection to Assamese traditions even in the midst of armed conflict.