PM, Sonia to study statehood demand in Assam

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi have promised to study the statehood demands of the people of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam.

Devajit Thousen, chief executive member of the Dima Hasao Autonomous Council, said this Wednesday after a meeting with the prime minister and Congress leaders in New Delhi as part of a delegation also involving members of the Karbi Anglong autonomous council.

"We have presented the aspirations of the people of the two hill districts. Both have promised to look into our demands," said Thousen.

"However, maintenance of peace and normalcy is a pre-requisite. So everyone must shun violence and let normalcy prevail in the districts," he said.

Protesters demanding a state of Karbi Anglong attacked government offices and homes of politicians last week following the decision to carve out Telangana in Andhra Pradesh.

The militant outfit Karbi Peoples Liberation Tigers had called a shutdown for 12 days in support of their demand.

The protests soon spread to the neighbouring Dima Hasao district forcing the leadership of both the autonomous councils to rush to New Delhi to seek the central government's intervention.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Wednesday appealed to the leaders of All-Koch Rajbongshi Students' Union (AKRSU) to call off their agitation demanding a separate Kamatapur state.

He held an hour-long discussion with the AKRSU delegation in Dispur and said peace was a must for any dialogue.

A statement issued by his office said Gogoi had promised AKRSU leaders to study their demands and help facilitate talks with the central government.