102 Assam ultras surrender

But the chief minister, later talking to newsmen, said no funds were immediately available with the state government to implement the package, adding that he might right now use some funds available with the state, and get it reimbursed later.

Those who surrendered included 60 ULFA boys, 16 from the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), 18 from the Karbi National Volunteers (KNV) and eight from the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT). They also laid down an assortment of 37 weapons.

Earlier, talking to the press, Lt Gen D B Shekatkar, GoC, FourCorps of the Army, who is also the operational head of the unified command structure, claimed that he has been in touch with several important ULFA leaders, and was hopeful of a break-through before year-end.

“I have been in touch with several important ULFA leaders since April, and they are talking about peace. We had already given them safe passage during April to enable them to visit their families, as a goodwill gesture,” Shekatkar added.

He however refused to divulge names of the ULFA leaders he was in touch with, except saying that one was a top-level political wing functionary, and another a middle-level armed wing member.

“There were also some feelers from a top leader who is living somewhere outside India. May be they are trying to gauge our sincerity,” he added.

Shekatkar also claimed that there was some realisation among the ULFA top brass that they were losing public support and sympathy during the past few years, “which may have prompted them to begin keeping touch with us.”

TheArmy commander also claimed that he was beginning to receive “more” positive signals from the ULFA’s side, adding that these were increasing hopes about a possible solution to the vexed problem soon. He however said he was not aware if any such “links” have been established with the political leadership or the state government also.

Later, talking to newsmen, Chief Minister Mahanta refused to either confirm or deny whether his government too was getting similar signals from the ULFA.

Mahanta apparently did not want to take a risk as he had once gone to the extent of claiming that the ULFA chairman Rabinda Rajkhowa had contacted Governor S K Sinha, only to take back his words the very next day. And, incidentally, he made that utterance here itself, in Nagaon, which is his hometown.

But Mahanta hoped that a Nagaland-type peace initiative was also imperative for Assam, adding that such a situation should evolve with the common people exerting pressure.

“The people of Nagaland wanted peace, and theNSCN leadership was compelled to accept that demand. I think the people of Assam too should openly press for a peaceful situation,” Mahanta said.