The Paresh Barua faction of ULFA on Thursday issued a statement warning popular singer and musician Zubeen Garg, 41, of dire consequences after he defied the outfit's diktat and performed in Bihu Sanmilani function at Guwahati on Wednesday evening.

Seven days ago they had issued a ban on performing Hindi songs during Rongali Bihu, the Assamese New Year Festival. However, the artiste, a heart-throb of the Assamese people, said no force on earth can stop him from singing. Garg said he would sing more Hindi songs on Thursday night too. "I don't care. No power can dictate an artiste. We have our own freedom. This is nothing new for me. The ULFA had banned me in the 1990s too. I have earned nationwide fame singing Hindi songs. It is our national language. Who are they to say Hindi songs will destroy Assamese culture. It is an outdated and ridiculous idea," Garg said.

After the outfit's diktat, other artistes had avoided singing Hindi songs with the exception of Garg. "While all other artistes heeded to our appeal, Zubeen Garg has willfully defied it. He is an agent of Hindi aggression on Assam. We will resist his singing Hindi songs. And if that leads to any conflict then we should not be held responsible," a statement issued by ULFA's media wing said.

Hours later, Garg said at a press meet, "Bihu is a festival that has no boundaries. It is not just the Assamese-speaking people who observe Bihu. Who are they to dictate terms and direct us? Paresh Barua should review his stand."