Guwahati: Describing the serial blasts in Assam as "acts of cowardice", Home Minister Shivraj Patil today (Oct 4, 2004) said, the Centre would do everything to support the Assam Government and its door for talks with insurgent outfits like ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) was "still open".

"These are dastardly and cowardly acts. Government of India will do everything to help the Assam Government," Patil said at a hurriedly convened press conference in Guwahati.

He said, "If anybody comes with any condition and wants to hold talks, we will not accept. The talks should be held without any condition".

According to official figures, there have been 15 blasts in the State so far and three incidents of firing. At least 36 people have been killed and 194 injured in these incidents since yesterday.

Asked whether the Government was still willing to hold talks with ULFA, he said, "We have not closed the doors for talks, but it is our duty to save human lives and innocent people."

Patil said, A multi-pronged strategy was being worked out to check terrorism.

On the multi-pronged strategy to counter insurgency, the Home Minister said there was a proposal that every State in the Northeast would have a nodal officer who would coordinate among themselves on various related issues.

"This is a proposal and we will consider it," Patil said. He said those involved in these attacks "will be dealt with firmly. We will concrete steps to ensure that such incidents do not take place in future."

The Home Minister said the Assam Government had asked for more security forces, which would be given.

Asked whether the twin blasts in Nagaland were aimed to derail the peace process, Patil replied in the negative and said stern measures would be take in that State too against those indulging in violent activities.

He said the people were angry with those behind the blasts and other violent incidents.

The Home Minister said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had drawn up long and short term plans for developmental activities in different parts of the State and the Centre would also play a role in these activities.

Earlier, Patil, accompanied by Gogoi and top officials of the Home Ministry, visited the violence-hit areas of lower Assam to take stock of the situation.