Shillong, June 04 2010: New Delhi has appealed to the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to leave the path of violent activities and come to the negotiating table.

Mention may be made that the government of Assam has appealed earlier to ULFA for talks.

New Delhi has now appealed to the elusive leaders of United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) to abjure the path of violence and come forward to take part in peace parleys.

"I am sure that the people of Assam want dialogue to resolve the issue.

The leaders who are outside and indulging in violence listen to the voices of the people of Assam," Union Home Secretary GK Pillai told reporters in Shillong, Meghalaya today.

He is in Shillong to attend a meeting with all Directors General of Police of the northeastern states.

G K Pillai said, "I think they (elusive Ulfa leaders) will come forward for the talks.

I am hopeful that those leaders who are outside and have not come forward for the talks would realize the futility of violence.

It only causes sufferings to the people of Assam".

Last week, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had met Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi here and asked the state government to initiate the process of dialogues with the outlawed outfit.

On its part, Chidambaram had said, New Delhi would extend necessary assistance.

"The Union Home Minister said he has full faith in the Chief Minister of Assam to initiate dialogues.

I think that process has been initiated by the Government of Assam," Pillai said adding that "I understand that a meeting of the governing council of Ulfa itself took place in jail.

We are awaiting a response.

As and when the response comes, the dialogue process will evolve".

The ULFA appears to be divided on the issue of talks.

While most of its leaders, now languishing in jails, favours unconditional talks with the Centre, another faction, led by the outfit's military chief Paresh Barua, are apparently opposed to it.

Barua maintains that the Ulfa will take part in the talks only if the issue of sovereignty is on the agenda.

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