Tuesday, December 21 2004 21:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Guwahati: The people of Assam were yearning for peace and wanted an end to the cult of violence, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said today (Dec 21, 2004) as he renewed his appeal to the militant groups to come forward for negotiation.

Addressing a peace campaign organised by the Kamrup (metro) district administration in Guwahati, Gogoi lamented that insurgency had pushed back development in the State by several decades and now it was time for the people to stand unitedly against violence.

Urging the militant outfits to shun violence, the Chief Minister said, "We want to build a prosperous Assam and for that to happen the militant outfits must come forward to solve their problems through peaceful and democratic means." He said even the NSCN (IM) had realised the futility of violence and come forward for negotiation which should be followed by the militant outfits of the region.

Eminent journalists, film stars and litterateurs participated in the programme.

Later the Chief Minister led the peace procession which was participated in by thousands of students, women and leading organisations of the State, who carried placards carrying the message of peace.