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The 'B' company of the ULFA battalion developed cold feet after the Army had killed at least ten of its senior leaders in eastern Assam about three months ago when the 'A' and 'C' companies of the battalion declared unilateral truce with government forces to 'facilitate peace talks' between the ULFA leadership and the Indian government.

Despite persistent efforts by Assam government's intelligence apparatus to persuade the 'B' company led by Bijoy, it has remained elusive as it wanted the Army to lower its guard in Assam's eastern districts to provide the leeway required by its cadres to join the mainstream.

However, the Army is continuing its tight vigil against the ULFA's members in Assam's eastern districts bordering Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar despite the truce declared by 'A' and 'C' companies of the outfit's 28th battalion.

The government is in no mood to ease the stranglehold it now has on ULFA because of sustained Army operations unless the top brass of the outfit comes forward for unconditional talks.

The 'B' company of the 28th battalion of the ULFA is now holed up in jungles of Myanmar, even as the government claims to be receiving positive signals from the 709 battalion of the ULFA.

Security sources claim that a large number of members of the 709 battalion that is mostly active in Lower Assam districts are showing keen interests to declare a ceasefire with the security forces to strengthen the pro-talks faction of the banned outfit.