Strike disrupts life in Assam

INDIA: Most shops and businesses shut down Friday in a northeastern Indian state after a civil group called a strike to press the government to hold talks with a separatist group, officials said.

Train services were also disrupted after paramilitary soldiers recovered a bomb from a railroad track 70 kilometers (45 miles) west of Gauhati, the state capital of Assam, said T. Rabha, a railroad spokesman.

"Army experts are engaged in defusing the explosive," Rabha said.

State government officials trickled into their offices, but shops and business were closed for the day and very few private vehicles could be seen on the roads, a police officer said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to reporters.

The Peoples Committee for Peace Initiatives, or PCPI, has stepped up efforts to get talks started since the Indian government called off a six-week truce in September and resumed military operations against the United Liberation Front of Asom, or ULFA.

The PCPI is considered pro-ULFA.

The rebel group has been fighting for an independent homeland since 1979.

"The military operations must be brought to an immediate halt and the government must begin peace talks with the ULFA to bring back peace in the state of 26 million people," PCPI leader Lachit Bordoloi said.

Gauhati, Friday, AP