Centre willing to talk to ULFA, others: PM

Guwahati, Jan 16: Declaring that the Centre is open to talks with all the disaffected affected groups, including ULFA, in Asom, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today cautioned them against mistaking it as a sign of weakness.

''No one should mistake our openness for talks as a sign of weakness,'' Dr Singh told reporters before leaving for Delhi after a day's visit to the violence-hit areas of the state.

The Centre's doors were open for dialogue with ULFA and other sections provided they abjure violence, he said and assured the people that his government and the state administration would work together and use all available resources to ensure their safety.

''The government has a duty to protect the lives of law abiding people. This is a solemn responsibility which will discharge,'' Dr Singh said.

The Army had already started operations in the affected areas along with the state police, but the people of Naoholia said they were still spending sleepless nights since the ''unfortunate night''. '' We are not able to sleep properly, neither can we work. We are very scared,'' said a villager.

They demanded that the Army be present there permanently.

The Prime Minister then left for Sepon Sokolia, where a refugee camp houses about 700 affected Bihari families. The neighbouring sleepy town of Moran in Dibrugarh district is dotted with brick kiln factories.

The ULFA also attacked these factories and and killed four workers. Most of the Bihari workers had already started moving to safer areas, apprehending trouble on the night of January six.

The Prime Minister met the camp inmates and assured them that the government would not make any compromise while dealing with militants.

The victims have received Rs three lakh compensation from the state government and another three lakh was yet to come from the Centre and the Bihar government.

''We have controlled the situation for now but we can not be complacent. We have to remain alert,'' Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has said.

UNI