Guwahati: The Opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) on Thursday staged a State-wide sit-in demanding a halt to the Army action against the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). They also demanded a solution to the problem through political dialogue.

AGP president Brindaban Goswami led party leaders and workers at the dharna in front of the Raj Bhavan here.

In a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the AGP demanded an immediate end to the Army operations to ensure a violence-free atmosphere to facilitate dialogue with the ULFA.

The party expressed concern that innocent citizens were affected in the renewed conflict between the security forces and ULFA in Assam following resumption of the Army's operations.

Blaming the Government for the spurt in violence, the AGP alleged that Dispur failed to play the desired role of a facilitator to bring back permanent peace and avail itself of the opportunities present in this regard. It demanded that the Government urge the Centre to halt the Army operations to create a conducive atmosphere for negotiations. "Unfortunate"

The State unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has also expressed concern at the breakdown of the peace initiative and urged both sides to come forward to the negotiating table to find a political solution to the problem.

Describing the development as "unfortunate," State CPI (M) secretary Uddhab Barman said both sides should make efforts to create a congenial atmosphere for direct talks leading to a permanent solution.

On other hand, reacting to the threat issued by ULFA to the Congress, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday told reporters that the Government was duty-bound to protect every citizen and not only Congress workers.

He, however, said that despite the threat the Government would continue its initiative to bring the outfit to the negotiation table.

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