Assam govt's peace initiative 'sincere': ULFA

The United Liberation Front of Asom on Wednesday acknowledged Assam government's efforts for peace talks with the outfit as 'sincere' but said a conducive atmosphere for the parleys was yet to be created as some of the top leaders were still in jail.

"The government is sincere in taking the peace process forward by not opposing the bail petitions of jailed ULFA leaders," ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa told mediapersons after production in connection with cases against him in the Kamrup District Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in Guwahati.

"Conducive conditions for holding the talks between ULFA and the government have, however, not been created as we are still in jail though the environment for peace has been created," Rajkhowa said.

"There will be no talks till we are in jail. Therefore, I cannot divulge anyhing about the talks. Only after we come out can I clearly speak about the modalities of the talks," the ULFA leader, who was arrested late last year, said.

Rajkhowa was produced along with other ULFA leaders Chitrabon Hazarika, Sasadhar Choudhury and Pronoti Deka for hearing in cases against them.

ULFA's octogenarian political advisor and idealogue Bhimakanta Buragohain alias 'Mama' was given bail by the Sonitpur district and sessions court on Friday but he was yet to be released as sureties could not be produced.

Earlier, ULFA vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi and central publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary were released on bail with the government not opposing it.

Meanwhile, the hearing of the bail petition of ULFA 'deputy commander-in-chief' Raju Baruah on Wednesday in a TADA court was postponed to November 1.