The Hindu : Front Page : Centre's decision to end ceasefire against ULFA opposed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Centre's decision to end ceasefire against ULFA opposed

Special Correspondent

People's Committee for Peace Initiative seeks direct talks, end to Army operations

REACHING OUT: Girls take part in a signature campaign on the issue, `Peace talks with the ULFA,' organised by Asom Public Works, an NGO, in Guwahati on Tuesday. — Photo: RITU RAJ KONWAR

Guwahati: The People's Committee for Peace Initiative (PCPI) on Tuesday opposed the Centre's decision to resume Army operations against the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).

The PCPI, a conglomerate of 21 organisations, staged a dharna to press its demand for withdrawal of the Army operations. It also demanded that the Centre hold direct talks with ULFA, and that its five jailed leaders be released immediately.

PCPI convener Dilip Patgiri insisted that the ULFA problem could not be solved militarily, and must resolved through dialogue. The Centre's decision to call off the ceasefire "merely for not receiving a letter from ULFA" was very unfortunate.

ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa on Monday accused the Centre of adopting double standards. In a statement, he alleged that "the Government of India, by showing false interest in the talks with ULFA managed to hold elections in Assam, and then again it staged a drama of suspension of operations to ensure celebration of the Independence Day peacefully."

The ULFA chairman alleged that though the Centre announced it was keen on talks, it imposed "unacceptable" conditions. He also accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of "launching a false campaign against ULFA."

The Assam Public Works, a non-governmental organisation, launched a signature campaign on the talks. On Tuesday, it collected 7,000 signatures in the city, and plans to collect a total of two lakh signatures. A majority of the people accused both the Centre and the ULFA of not showing sincerity in the talks, a worker of the NGO said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page