Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today (Aug 29, 2004) strongly came out against the banned ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) asserting that status of Assam, laid out, as the core issue of talks by the outfit, was not negotiable at any cost and all killings must stop before any dialogue.

Addressing a press conference in Guwahati with AICC (All India Congress Committee) In-Charge for Assam, Digvijay Singh, a visibly angry Chief Minister said, ''I am not a beggar. I cannot go on begging the ULFA for talks. If they want to hold talks, they must give up all killings and stop harping on the issue of sovereignty''.

''Somethings are not negotiable. Sovereignty is one such issue and there can be no compromise on that for the sake of the State and the nation'', he said.

Gogoi pointed out that the safety and security of the people was of top most priority for the Government and the State Government would never put this at stake.

He also thanked the people of the State for crossing the barriers of caste and community to come out and strongly react against terrorist activities after the Dhemaji incident.

Speaking in the same tone, Digvijay Singh said that following the Dhemaji incident the ULFA was talking more and more about holding talks.

''This is a welcome sign but there will be no negotiation on sovereignty'', he added.