"Centre will consider President's rule"

NEW DELHI, DEC. 2.Voicing concern over attacks on non-Assamese by ULFA militants, the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, tonight said the Centre would consider the demand by certain political parties for imposition of president's rule in Assam after carrying out its own assessment and holding a meeting with Chief Minister, Mr. P.K. Mahanta.

``The situation in Assam is a matter of concern and disquiet. I have spoken to the Chief Minister twice since the first incident took place,'' Mr. Advani told PTI here.

He said the ULFA insurgents have ``obviously been targeting non- Assamese'' leading to a ``very baneful effect'' on the people living in the State for generations.

The State Government has to ``reassure'' non-Assamese people of stern action against those responsible for the attacks, he said.

Asked about the demand in Lok Sabha and outside by the Congress and other parties for imposition of Central rule in the State, Mr. Advani said ``we will first talk to the State Government''.

He said the Centre would convene a meeting with the Assam Chief Minister next week, which would also be attended by the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes.

A senior Home Ministry official was already in Assam and was likely to give his assessment on the law and order situation there, tomorrow, Mr. Advani added.

On despatch of additional Para-military forces to the State, he said large contingents had already been deployed there.

CPI condemns killings

The CPI today condemned the violence perpetrated by ULFA against non-Assamese groups in Assam and asked the State Government to initiate dialogue with the front.

``It has created tremendous fear in the minds of these minorities and posed grave threat to their safety and security,'' the CPI said in a statement here.

It sought disarming of the ULFA and initiating a dialogue for putting an end to violence and demanded that State and Central Governments arrest those guilty and ensure security to the people, particularly the people from Bihar and other minorities.

- PTI

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