World | India

Rebel group in northeast India declares ceasefire

A rebel group behind a spate of killings in northeastern India declared a one-month ceasefire on Tuesday and urged the government to reciprocate and begin formal talks.

  • AP
  • Published: 11:30 May 20, 2008
  • Gulf News

Guwahati: A rebel group behind a spate of killings in northeastern India declared a one-month ceasefire on Tuesday and urged the government to reciprocate and begin formal talks.

Paiprang Dimasa, a spokesman for the ethnic separatist rebels who have killed 22 people in the last 10 days, said his group is "keen to give peace a chance."

The government had no immediate response.

It was the second truce offer in recent months from the Dima Halam Daogah group, which has been fighting for an autonomous state for the Dimasa tribe. The first offer was abandoned after government forces killed 12 rebels, sparking a series of retaliatory attacks.

"We had to respond," Dimasa said. "Now it is up to the government to reciprocate (the ceasefire) and formalise the peace process."

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
News Editor's choice