Centre Inks Historic Peace Pact With UPDS

Centre on 25^th Nov signed a peace pact with the prominent insurgent group, UPDS in Assam. Under this pact, the Karbi Anglong hill district will get more powers and a 350 crore rupees special financial package. 

Describing it as a historic moment, Home Minister P Chidambaram said government is ready for dialogue with any group which shuns violence and puts its demands within the framework of the Indian Constitution.

In a statement, Mr. Chidambaram said that the Memorandum of Settlement will change the face of the Karbi Anglong district in all spheres.

This  agreement, signed by the representatives of the Central and Assam governments and the United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), in New Delhi came at the end of two-year long peace negotiations.

Mr. Chidambaram said after the signing of the peace pact that the government has always shown its willingness to enter into a dialogue with any group that is willing to abjure the path of violence and place demands within the framework of the Constitution of India.

He also urged all groups in the country to give up violence and come forward to find peaceful solutions to all their perceived problems.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who was also present on the occasion, said it was a significant moment for Assam, particularly for Karbi Anglong, as the pact with UPDS would bring peace and development.