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Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi hoped that the fugitive ULFA commander in chief Paresh Baruah would realise the ground realities in the state in the wake of people's show of support to the peace overture of the pro-talks faction of the outfit led by Mrinal Hazarika, former commander of the 28th battalion of the group.
"The pro-talks faction of the ULFA comprising 'alpha and 'charlie' companies of its 28 th battalion, is getting positive response from the people of Assam towards their effort to mobilize public opinion for direct unconditional talks between the ULFA leadership and government of India. Still, we can't be complacent in our operation against ULFA militants who are opposed to peace initiative by the pro-talks faction," Gogoi said.
"I hope the ULFA commander in chief Paresh Baruah will see the writing on the wall and good sense will prevail on him in the wake of declaration of unilateral truce by two companies of the ULFA's main strike force, the 28 th battalion," Gogoi said.
Meanwhile, about 70 cadres of the pro-talks 'Alpha' and 'Charlie' companies of the ULFA have moved into the designated camp set up by the government and deposited their weapons. The state government is going to bear all the expenditure of the ULFA men lodged in the designated camps besides facilitating their training in different vocational trades for their rehabilitation in the mainstream.
Gogoi informed that the rehabilitation programme would be in tune with the wishes and aptitude of ULFA cadres in truce.
Meanwhile, security forces in Assam have intensified operation against the anti-talks battalions of the ULFA that are active in Western and Northern parts of the state to prevent the outfit from striking with a vengeance in the run up to the Independence Day.
Security forces gunned down three unidentified ULFA militants at Namati area in Nalbari district of Assam at around 1 am on Thursday. The forces recovered one assault rifle, one Chinese pistol and an Austrian grenade from the slain militants.