The 11-member People’s Consultative Group (PCG), which was nominated by the outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) last Thursday, has decided to seek suggestions from cross-section of people of the state to frame the ground rules for the proposed talks between the ULFA and the government.Eight members who met here last evening for the first time felt that the people’s opinion is ‘‘a basic necessity’’ for framing the ground rules.‘‘Although we are yet to receive any guidelines from the ULFA or the government, seeking public opinion is a basic requirement at this stage,’’ Arup Borbora, a member of the group, said.Borbora said the group will soon meet Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and seek the state government’s cooperation in carrying forward the peace talks. The issues that are likely to come up during the discussions with the CM include asking the government to declare a ceasefire in consultation with the ULFA. Another member of the group and Guwahati-based editor Haider Hussain said the people of Assam have to play a crucial role in taking forward the much-awaited peace process. Three members — Indira Goswami, Ajit Kumar Bhuyan and Brajen Gogoi could not attend the meeting, because they were away from Guwahati.
