Army operation continues in Asom

Guwahati, Sep 26 (UNI) The army anti-insurgency operation against the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) throughout the state continued for the third day today, killing at least two prominent leaders from the outfit and nabbing four of them.

However, no fresh encounter or killings have been reported from the state till yet.

Meanwhile, the ULFA, reacting to the resumption of army operation said the government was maintaining ''double standards'' on the issue of talks.

In a statement released here yesterday, ULFA chairman Arabindo Rajkhowa said even the Prime Minister was involved in launching ''false propaganda'' against the ULFA.

Centre was not interested in talks with the ULFA, he said the Centre had managed to hold the elections in the state and them again staged a drama of suspension of operations to ensure peaceful celebration of Independence Day.

''ULFA does not want a ceasefire but an end to the conflict'', he asserted.

Mr Rajkhowa said the government on one hand announced that it was keen for the talks, but on the other hand, imposed pre-conditions on the ULFA.

'' Pre-conditions, imposed by the Centre, are not acceptable to the ULFA and the people here are now aware of the double standards of the government''.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has made a fervent appeal to the militant outfit to shun violence and extortion.

Following the Centre's decision to withdraw the suspension of Army operations, both the Army and the state police have intensified their combing operations.

Regarding the 'tax' imposed by the ULFA, the state chief secretary S Kaliban appealed to the people not to panic and assured that government would thwart the outfit's bid.

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