The Assam government has decided to adopt a three-pronged strategy to fight insurgency even as it has rejected a fresh demand from the banned United Liberation Front of Asom for a written commitment from the Centre to discuss the issue of sovereignty for holding peace talks.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has made it clear that there couldn't be any talks on the issue of sovereignty of Assam and there would be no compromise on it. He, however, said the government is not averse to releasing five senior ULFA leaders from Guwahati jail provided the outfit showed sincerity to sit for dialogue with the central government.

The proscribed ULFA on Monday asked the central government to give a written assurance of discussing the sovereignty issue in its proposed peace talks. The group's fugitive commander in chief Paresh Barua, in an e-mailed statement to the media, accused the government of trying to divert the people's attention from the core demands of the outfit.

In view of the continued insurgency and sprouting of at least new insurgent groups during the year gone by, the Assam government has vowed to adopt a three-pronged strategy in the New Year to tackle the problem more effectively.

Gogoi informed that from now onwards the anti-insurgency strategy in the state would have three dimensions. The government will continue with its policy of trying to bring the militant groups -- especially ULFA -- to negotiation to find a political solution to it.

At the same time, the law and order machinery in the state would continue with its battle against militants given that the law and order aspect of the insurgency needed be tackled with a firm hand.

The state government at the same time will focus on improving the underdeveloped areas in the state to wipe out the recruitment ground for militant groups. The chief minister said poor and unemployed youth from backward and remote parts of the state stood vulnerable. The government will announce special development schemes for these hugely backward areas of the state.