Centre gives free hand to Gogoi on peace talks with ULFA

He also stressed that militant groups must lay down arms and join the political process. There will be no let up in the counter-insurgency operations in Assam till all the insurgents give up arms and join the political process, he said.

The chief minister will decide how to carry the political process (with ULFA and other outfits) forward. When to hold talks,what are the conditions of talks,who they will talk to,the chief minister will decide on these matters in consultation with his cabinet colleagues. As far as the government of India is concerned,we will support the state in the political process, Chidambaram said.

Chidambaram,who arrived in the Assam capital from Aizawl on Tuesday,earlier held discussions on the security scenario in the state with Gogoi,his cabinet colleagues and senior officials apart from attending a crucial meeting of the Unified Command.

Security forces have been instructed to continue to implement the (counter-insurgency) policy that has been in force for sometime now. Insurgency has no place. The insurgents must lay down arms,surrender and join the political process. Otherwise security forces will continue to act against them, Chidambaram said.

The Minister described as dramatic developments the arrest of a number of top insurgent leaders including ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and NDFB chief Ranjan Daimary.

All are aware of the dramatic improvement in the security situation in Assam. We have been able to apprehend a number of leaders of insurgent outfits including the ULFA,NDFB and DHD(J), he said.