Demanding that the issue of sovereignty should be discussed in the talks between the Centre and ULFA, a peace rally organised by the People’s Committee for Peace Initiative demanded that the issue of sovereignty should be discussed to find an amicable and lasting political solution to the problems. Speakers in the rally have also called upon the Centre to expedite the peace process. They are also in favour of suspending Army operations against the ULFA to creating a congenial atmosphere for talks between Government and the ULFA.

Meanwhile, the Centre has convened a meeting with the People’s Consultative Group (PCG) on February 7. This will be the second meeting between the Centre and the PCG constituted by ULFA. The first meeting was held in November 2005. During that meeting, it was decided that further talks between the two sides would continue at Home Ministry level. PCG had also placed a set of demands to pave the way for formal talks between ULFA and the Centre. The demands included release of detained ULFA militants who are in jail, acceptance of sovereignty as the core issue among others.

Before the announcement of schedule of the meeting by the Centre, Assam was rocked by series of blats. ULFA triggered off explosions in different parts of the State from January 20. In the run-up to the Republic Day celebrations, suspected ULFA militants triggered an explosion in front of the main entrance of Guwahati Refinery. Ten persons were injured in the blast. One of the injured revealed that the explosion took him and his friends by surprise. “The blast was caused by something that was hurled from a distance. There were several other blasts in other parts of the State too.

While addressing the peace rally, Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami, who is responsible for the recent peace process, stressed on the importance of lasting peace in the State. According to her that for the overall uplift of the region, peace is the fundamental requisite. She expresses the hope that good sense will prevail and stakeholders in the peace process will make necessary sacrifices to herald a new era of peace. Dr. Goswami requested every one to understand the value of permanent peace. Expressing shock over the number of people killed in violence, Dr. Goswami urged the people to reverse the trend.

Another educationist former Vice Chancellor of the Gauhati University Dr Deba Prasad Barooah urged the Centre to discuss everything at the negotiating table including the issue of sovereignty. According to Dr. Barooah, “there is no issue that cannot be discussed in the negotiating table, including the issue of sovereignty.” He warned that efforts are being made by a section to derail the latest peace initiative.

Assam Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh came under attack during the rally. Speakers in the rally condemned the statement of Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh on the issue of talks. They observed that such statements from the constitutional head of the State might affect the peace process. Seeking President’s intervention, the speakers called upon the highest constitutional head of the country to censure the Governor. It may be mentioned here that the Governor expressed the view that there was nothing to discuss with the ULFA, while interacting with the media informally on the eve of Republic Day. The rally also viewed that the ethnic groups living in the State should be provided with meaningful autonomy, as they are deprived.

Appealing for lasting peace, Dr. Mamoni Raisom Goswami said that for the overall uplift of the region, peace is the fundamental requisite.

|  Headlines  |  Editorial   | From Other Publications  |
|  Travel Column   |   News Briefs  |
| OT Main Page | Nena  Home Page  |