'ULFA must restrain to facilitate peace in Asom'

Guwahati, Jun 23: The ball has finally been put in the court of banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to facilitate lasting peace in insurgency-hit Asom.

Following the third round of meeting between the ULFA-nominated People's Consultative Group (PCG) and Union Government in New Delhi yesterday, it was made clear by the Home Ministry that the ULFA would have to restrain to give peace a chance.

The Centre also asked the PCG to make similar appeal to the ULFA asking it to create a condusive atmosphere for holding direct talks between the outfit and Union government at the earliest.

The Union government would consider the ULFA's demand to release its five senior leaders, who are now in Guwahati jail.

There is clear signal that the Centre is willing hold the next round of talks directly with the ULFA.

If the Centre can keep its forces under restrain in tune with the yesterday's joint statement, that called upon all sides to observe restraint, the top leaders of the banned militant group would be forced to take few positive steps to stop violence.

UNI

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