Friday, September 29 2006 12:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Guwahati: A day after the exit of ULFA-nominated Peoples Consultative Group from the peace process, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi yesterday (Sept 28, 2006) called for organisations like the Asom Sahitya Sabha and All Assam Students Union to take up the job.

Influential social organisations like Naga Ho Ho in Nagaland had played a major role in bringing NSCN(IM) to the negotiating table and the same could be possible in the case of ULFA if the two bodies and others like them get themselves involved in the peace process, he told a news conference here.

Criticising PCG for withdrawing from the peace process and blaming him for it, Gogoi alleged that the group had so far 'ignored' him.

"It is surprising they (PCG) are blaming me because till now they did not involve me and by-passed me to bring the ULFA for talks", a visibly angry Gogoi told a press conference here.

"So far no government had talked for so long with representatives (of insurgent groups) - the PCG, who have failed bring the ULFA to direct talks", he said.

He also wondered whether ULFA, which had appointed the PCG had given it permission to withdraw from the talks.

''The PCG should not have got disheartened so early and should have continued,'' he said.

"Terming the resumption of army operation against the outfit and subsequent violence was a 'minor hiccup'," he said

"Army operation was continuing in the state earlier and even then the peace process was going on. So there is no question of reaching a deadlock (on the ULFA talks issue)," he said.