Talks can be held without ULFA chief's participation: Gogoi

GUWAHATI, Jun 26 (Agencies): With the ULFA virtually splitting, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said talks with the group was now possible without the participation of its military head Paresh Barua if other leaders took part in the parleys.

"When the majority of a group are against the decision of its chief, it is considered as revolt and the present situation in the ULFA is no different from that," Gogoi told reporters here.

He welcomed the recent decision of ULFA's elite strike force 28 battalion's Alpha (A) and Charlie (C) companies to split and declare unilateral ceasefire and come forward for talks with the government.

The 28 battalion is one of the important forces of ULFA and the decision of its 'A' and 'C' companies was definitely a step in the right direction, Gogoi said.

Expressing his happiness that ULFA and other insurgent groups are now realising the futility of their armed struggle which has retarded the growth of Assam, Gogoi appealed to all ultras to give up violence and come forward for talks within the framework of the Constitution.

Asked if peace talks can be successful with only a section of the group involved, he said "this was followed in Nagaland.

When A Z Phizo (who fought for Nagaland's independence) was against peace talks with the Centre, other leaders of the group came forward without the consent of their leader.

"The government will make efforts and provide every facility to bring them to the mainstream so that they can serve the society in a meaningful manner," Gogoi said.