Anti-ULFA operation to be intensified;PM says talks still possible

Dibrugarh, Jan 16 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announced further intensifying the operation against banned ULFA which recently went on a killing spree in Asom.

''An entire brigade has been moved to the state limits from outside to gear up anti-insurgency action in Upper Asom,'' he told reporters at a press meet in Mohanbari airport here after reviewing the security scenario in the aftermath of the ULFA terror in Upper Asom. The carnage claimed more than sixty lives, mostly of Hindi-speaking.

''The Unified Command structure, monitoring the counter-insurgency operations in the state, will be headed by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi from now,'' he further announced.

Dr Singh also visited the affected families in worst hit Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts earlier.

The prime minister said the matter of ULFA and other militant groups of the North East taking shelter in neighbouring Myanmar had been taken up with his Myanmarese counterpart during the ASEAN summit.

''I talked to the Myanmar Prime Minister on the issue yesterday and he has assured me of all co-operation if adequate information is provided,'' he explained.

Dr Singh, however, said that doors were always open for any insurgent group, including the ULFA, for talks if they were willing to abjure violence.

''Our willingness for talks should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness,'' he cautioned, adding that the government was committed to providing security to its people.

UNI