The Assam government has urged the Centre to declare a ceasefire against the militant outfits in the state on the Kashmir and Nagaland lines to find a permanent political solution to the vexed insurgency problem.
"There cannot be two policies -- one for Nagaland as well as Kashmir and the other for Assam -- and I think the same principles should be applied here as has been done with the NSCN in Nagaland," Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said in an interview.
The chief minister, who recently took over the reins of power after leading his congress to a landslide victory winning 70 seats in the assembly with effective strength of 125, said he had planned a "massive peace movement" to involve the people and make them aware of the futility of violence and the necessity for development.
Gogoi said he favoured a dialogue and a political solution to the insurgency problem "but the Centre should cooperate as the state government cannot take decision on the militants demands."
Unveiling his plans, the chief minister said the effort for peace would be made from the village level through a mass campaign.
The entire machinery would be mobilised and people, specially belonging to the rural areas, would be educated about the dire need for development.
"My top priority is development and I think this would be the first step towards peace," Gogoi said. Bureau Report