Assam Govt. rules out unilateral ceasefire

GUWAHATI, JUNE 6. The Assam Government has ruled out the possibility of announcing any unilateral ceasefire in Assam to initiate dialogue with the militant groups operating in the State.

Talking to UNI here on Tuesday, the Chief Minister, Mr. Tarun Gogoi, said he would like to persuade the militant groups through spontaneous movement for peace. ``They should realise sincerity of the Government and desire of the common people, he said.

``If the militants do not announce ceasefire, the unilateral ceasefire would be meaningless. In fact, I did not take up the matter with the Prime Minister too. Let there be an atmosphere for peace in the State and then we initiate the process. We are not in a hurry,'' he said.

The government would launch a ``movement for peace'' from June 12 to usher in a congenial atmosphere through a possible negotiation with the militants in the State, the Chief Minister said. ``This movement would be launched throughout the state and would involve all sections of society to ensure that it percolates down to the district level,'' he said.

On the long-pending Panchayat polls, he said these would be held by the middle of december.

- UNI

PTI reports

Priority to repair of roads

Mr. Gogoi has urged officials to take all necessary steps for repairing roads and bridges of the State.

In a meeting with senior Public Works Department officials here on Monday, he expressed concern over the dilapidated condition of roads and bridges all over the State and called for immediate repairing of these bridges and roads. There were financial constraints but the funds already released must be utilised properly.

The Chief Minister said new strategies would be evolved to acquire necessary resources and various organisations, including ngos, would be involved in this regard.

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