Sunday, February 19 2006 13:23 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Jnanpeeth award winning Assamese writer Indira Goswami, who has been mediating between the Centre and banned outfit ULFA, has written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requesting the withdrawal of Army from Assam to help carry forward the ongoing peace process.

Goswami, a member of the ULFA-selected Peoples Consultative Group, which had two rounds of peace talks with the Government, including one with the Prime Minister, in her letter apprised Singh about the prevailing situation in Upper Assam where eight people were killed in police firing and one in alleged Army custody.

"I humbly request you to kindly consider the removal of the security forces from the affected areas to ease the prevailing tension. I sincerely believe that such a step would help us to carry forward the peace process towards a positive end," Goswami said in her letter which she sent yesterday.

She said that such a move would be considered a 'great gesture' from the government for the people of Assam.

"The ongoing peace process is a historical step. People of Assam would remain grateful to you and your Government," Goswami said in her letter.