Date:31/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/31/stories/2006013108020500.htm

Other States - Assam

Centre urged to call off army operations

Sushanta Talukdar

GUWAHATI: A peace rally held here on Monday under the aegis of the People's Committee for Peace Initiative (PCPI) urged the Centre to call off army operations in the State and include the "sovereignty" issue in the agenda of the proposed peace talk with the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).

The rally also urged the Centre to listen to the voice of the people to suspend the counter-insurgency operations.

A resolution adopted in the rally stated that the "proposed discussion should focus on finding a justice-oriented solution without compromising dignity and restoration of sovereignty to the people of Assam and such a process should also include a plebiscite that would reflect the democratic opinion of the Assamese people."

Addressing the rally, noted writer and Chief facilitator between the Centre and the ULFA-formed People's Consulative Group (PCG), Indira Goswami a.k.a.

Mamoni Raisom Goswami expressed the hope that next round of discussion between the Centre and the PCG scheduled for February 7 would lead to positive results.