Asom CM for direct talks with ULFA

Guwahati, Dec 12 (UNI) Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today favoured direct talks with the proscribed ULFA over holding negotiations with representatives.

Addressing a press meet on the sidelines of the Winter Session of the state Assembly here, Mr Gogoi said, ''The ULFA leaders should come for direct talks, we will prefer talking to them directly.'' The peace parleys through the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) nominated People's Consultative Group (PCG) had failed to make much headway and the talks were finally abandoned.

The Chief Minister dismissed the possibility of freeing top five ULFA leaders as a pre-condition for its withdrawal of a threat to the peaceful conduct of the National Games in February.

Chief peace negotiator Mamoni Raisom Goswami had recently stated that she would persuade the ULFA to call off the threat if the leaders were set free, a primary demand of the group, refusal to comply by which had led to failure of the talks.

Mr Gogoi said, ''Such a proposal to set the jailed leaders is not justified.'' UNI MT-SG JYN RL ND1556