Gogoi promises release of ULFA leaders

Guwahati, Dec 5 (UNI) Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today promised release of jailed ULFA leaders if the militant organisation came forward to the negotiating table.

Mr Gogoi today met a delegation of the Peoples Committee for Peace Initiative in Asom (PAPUA), considered close to ULFA.

The PCPIA had been pressing for early negotiation and withdrawal of armed force from Asom.

Mr Gogoi said there were no differences between the PCPIA and Government whatsoever and everything would automatically fall in line if ULFA expressed its willingness for negotiation with the Centre.

The meeting had revived the hope of peace in Asom as Mr Gogoi made a strong appeal to ULFA to stop violence and rethink their stand on the negotiation.

ULFA was insisting that jailed ULFA leaders should be released first while Government said it would do so only after getting formal letter from ULFA expressing willingness for talk.

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