Asom welcomes Centre's decision

Guwahati, June 22 (UNI) Asom today welcomed the Centre's decision to release top five jailed ULFA leaders and hoped that the move help would resolve the vexed problem.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, welcoming the decision, said, ''this will now facilitate direct talks between the ULFA and the Centre. I do hope that they come to the negotiation table and we shall provide all support,'' he said.

Opposition AGP president Brindabon Goswami said, ''This is a very positive development. There should not be any delay now and the ULFA should now get ready for direct talks.'' The Centre today agreed to release the five top ULFA leaders.

Initially there was some confusion but eventually the Centre agreed to release all the five and it was announced today at the third round of talks between the centre and people's consultative group in New Delhi.

After a marathon session of talks between the two sides and state government representatives, it was officially announced that ''direct talks'' between ULFA and the Centre would be held ''at the earliest''.

The ULFA leader to be released are Vice-Chairman Pradeep Gogoi, Ideologue Bhim Kanta Burgaohaoin, Cultural Secretary Pranati Deka, Publicity Secretary Mithinga Daimary and ULFA leader Ramu Mech. The Government was initially sceptical about the release of the last two but relented for creating an atmosphere of trust.

All Asom Students Union adviser Dr Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharrya also welcomed the move. ''The ball is now in ULFA's court and they should come forward,'' he said.

People have also expressed a sigh of relief as the state had been rattled by a series of bomb blasts in the past few weeks in which at least nine people were killed.

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