Guwahati: The Assam Government on Thursday announced that it would declare a ceasefire and release the five jailed leaders of the United Liberation Front of Asom immediately after it received a direct communication from the militant outfit expressing their preparedness for talks with the Centre.

The State Government's stand was spelt out by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in the State Assembly while summing up the general discussion on the Budget.

"Let there be a clear indication from the ULFA. The moment we receive a direct communication we will release the jailed leaders and we will also declare a ceasefire," Mr. Gogoi said.

Although the ULFA has expressed its willingness for negotiation through the People's Consultative Group (PCG), it is yet to send a direct communication to the State Government.

Earlier on Wednesday, the chief facilitator between the PCG and the Centre and noted writer Indira Goswami (Mamoni Raisom Goswami) sent an e-mail to ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa urging him to send a formal letter to the Government expressing the outfit's desire to hold direct talks.

During the zero hour, Leader of the Opposition Brindaban Goswami and Asom Gana Parishad member Keshab Mahanta drew the attention of the State Government to the death of six militants in an encounter between the ULFA and security forces.

12-hour bandh

The People's Committee for Peace Initiate (PCPI), a conglomerate of 21 organisations, have called for 12-hour Assam bandh on Friday to protest against the killing of ULFA militants by security forces. The PCPI has also called for a road and rail blockade on July 17. The pressure group has set July 31 as the deadline for the release of ULFA leaders and halting army operations.

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