New Delhi: Close on the heels of the Assam government recommending the release of jailed ULFA leaders, the group negotiating on behalf of the outlawed outfit with the Centre has appealed for an end to military operations against the rebels and the announcement of a truce.
"It is the desire of the people that operations against the ULFA should be stopped. We appeal to the government to announce a ceasefire soon to pave the way for direct talks with the Centre," said noted Assamese writer Indira Goswami, a member of the People's Consultative Group nominated by the militant outfit.
Goswami said that since the Assam government had already given its nod for releasing jailed top ULFA leaders, including vice-president Pradip Gogoi, there should not be any problem to stop the operations by security forces and to
announce a ceasefire.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had said on Friday in Guwahati that his government had no objection to the release of ULFA "central executive council" members currently in jail.
State Chief Secretary S Kabilan, who heads the anti-insurgency Unified Command Structure, said the state government had recommended their release after the Centre sought its views on the issue.
Goswami said, "So far the peace process has been going on smoothly and proceeding in the right direction. Since a new government has taken over in Dispur, we expect some positive steps so that it (peace process) could be expeditated."
Gogoi last week began his second term as Chief Minister at the head of a coalition government led by his Congress party. The talks with the PCG began during his first tenure.
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