New Delhi, November 25
Cutting across party lines, eminent citizens from different walks of life, including a Cabinet Minister and an Opposition leader, former governors of Assam and Manipur, editors, journalists, social workers and intellectuals, today called for an end to the confrontation in Assam and the return of “a sense of healing, trust and confidence” to the state.

Urging armed groups to seek “the path of negotiations and dialogue”, a statement issued by them sought an open debate on the issue of employment for local communities, referring to the resistance to outside candidates for railway jobs in Assam which triggered the recent trouble.

It said civil society groups must shun hatred and blame, and turn to the task at hand “of rebuilding homes, trust and unity and reaching out to those who have been hurt.”