Shinde invites militant groups for talks

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Monday appealed to all militant groups to come forward for peace talks with the government to solve their problems saying violence has no place in democracy.

Addressing cadres of Dima Halam Daogah (DHD), a militant group operating in Assam, which signed a peace pact, he said the government was ready to hold dialogue with any group which shun violence and come forward for dialogue.

"I urge all groups to give up violence and come forward for peaceful negotiation. The government is ready to hold dialogue within the framework of the Constitution," he said.

The home minister said an economic package of Rs 200 crore (Rs 40 crore annually) would also be given for all round development of Dima Hasao district.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who attended the function, said the pact would help in bringing peace in the trouble-torn district which saw many violence in the past.

"I am happy that they (DHD) have realised the futility of violence and decided to join mainstream. It will usher a new era in the history of Assam," he said.

The Memorandum of Settlement was signed by representatives of Central and Assam governments and the DHD.