Asom violence continues, Centre talks tough

Guwahati, Jun 12 (UNI) The ULFA-sponsored bombing continued for the fifth consecutive day in Asom, resulting in the death of one and injuring eleven, thereby forcing the Centre to talk tough before scheduled peace talks with ULFA's representatives.

Two ULFA-sponsored blasts went off at Digboi, the eastern most important town and at Goalpara in west killing one and injuring to eleven, official sources said.

The Union Home Ministry today sent its first warning, saying more violence would bring trouble for the proposed talk on June 22.

Accusing the ULFA of adopting pressure tactics, the government had warned that violence could spoil the atmosphere for the upcoming talks.

Union Home Secretary V K Duggal told reporters in New Delhi that continuous violence was actually a pressure tactics. '' ULFA is adopting tactics to pressurise the Central Government. These are tactics we understand and we can reply to them. These are not good tactics, '' Mr Duggal said.

He had also spoken to Mrs Indira Goswami, the peace initiator.

Meanwhile, in the first blast that went off at a market in the oil township of Digboi this afternoon, one person who was injured later succumbed to wounds.

The second bombing at Goalpara, about 220 km west of Guwahati, was near an army camp.

Officials here are get to ascertain what prompted the ULFA to set up a series of bombings for the last five days.

ULFA's sponsored Peoples Consultative Group (PCG) is scheduled to meet the Union Home Ministry officials on June 22.

'' When talks are slated to take place, these incidents of violence can spoil the atmosphere. We can also deal with violence but right now we want to talk about peace, '' the Home Secretary told reporters in New Delhi.

Mr Duggal said he had spoken to the Chief Secretary and top officials of the Assam government and apprised them of Centre's views on the issue.

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