The top brass of the United Liberation Front of Asom appear to have divergent views on the outfit's demand for 'sovereignty', with some of them softening their stand on the 27-year-old 'core demand'.

Intelligence sources claimed that ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Barua was fighting a lone battle for Assam's 'sovereignty' while his colleagues were ready to climb down from their 'key demand', as revealed during interrogation of arrested ULFA insurgents.

ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa was reported to be keen on reviving the deadlocked peace talk process with the Centre and was willing to negotiate on issues without preconditions, unlike Barua who was 'determined to ensure sovereignty', the sources said.

Earlier speculations that there was a rift in the upper echeleons of the proscribed outfit had been rejected by ULFA on several occasions.

They had claimed such reports were the 'handiwork of the state machinery and were made to weaken the ULFA movement'.

Meanwhile, talks facilitator Rebati Phukan said the peace parleys were likely to resume soon with Rajkhowa reportedly 'sending some positive message' to him.

"There was never anything negative about the talks process and we are hoping for the best," Phukan added.