The proscribed United Liberation Front of Assam on Saturday sought to put an end to speculations on talks with the state government and the Centre following the recent arrest of two of its top leaders -- Sashadhar Choudhury and Chitrabon Hazarika -- from Bangladesh.
In a statement issued to the media in Guwahati, chairman of the banned ULFA, Arabinda Rakhowa said: 'A baseless and misleading rumour has been spread among the people of Assam about holding of dialogue among the ULFA, colonial Indian government and the Assam government. We hereby appeal to the people of Assam not to get confused by this rumour till we clarify our stand on holding of such dialogue.'
In the wake of the arrest of two ULFA leaders from their hideouts in Bangladesh, speculation was rife that the arrest might be a prelude to talks between the outfit and the Government of India. However, both the arrested ULFA leaders, while being produced before the court in Guwahati last week, stated that they (ULFA) would not sit for talks.
Meanwhile, leaders of the "A and "C' companies of the 28th battalion of the outfit, which are now in truce with government of India forces, stated that the two arrested leaders of the ULFA were welcome to lead the negotiations.
The ULFA battalions in truce had earlier submitted a charter of demands to the government demanding greater autonomy to the state of Assam. The leaders of the two ULFA battalions also met senior IB officials recently while the latter was visiting the region. 