Security has been beefed up across Assam in the run up to Independence Day on Sunday with five militant groups including the banned United Libration Front of Asom (ULA) calling for a boycott of the celebrations. The railways have already announced cancellation of night running of trains from Friday,while 26 trains have been totally cancelled for three days beginning Saturday. An official spokesperson at the Northeast Frontier Railways headquarters here said night running of trains has been cancelled in view of a security threat perceived by the state government. While six trains have been partially cancelled and short-terminated,the timing of nine long-distance trains has been rescheduled in view of the disruption caused by the cancellation of night running. The ULFA and four other underground groups have declared Independence Day as banned with an e-mail sent by its publicity wing saying August 15 was more a day of betrayal that reminds people of how their rights have been snatched away by a colonial government. Security forces,meanwhile,have arrested militants belonging to the ULFA,NDFB and other groups in across Assam in the past four days. At several places,security forces also recovered explosive devices.
