Kolkata: Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today (Oct 11, 2004) said talks between the Centre and NSCN-IM (National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah) would continue despite the recent serial blasts in the north east as the outfit did not claim responsibility for it.

''The tendency of the extremist groups is that they own responsibility after triggering such explosions. Only a Bodo faction had owned responsibility for explosions at Dhubri and Goalpara in Assam. They also offered peace talks,'' he told a press conference in Kolkata.

Mukherjee admitted that ISI activities in the country was increasing and said the Pakistan agency had a hand behind terrorist violence in the north east.

''We are getting reports of ISI activities. They are abetting militant outfits like ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) and Kamtapur Liberation Organisation. We have made this allegation so many times. Some of the militants had taken shelter in Bangladesh and we have urged Dhaka to take action,'' he said.

Asked whether India was satisfied with Dhaka's response, the Defence Minister said, ''We can request them as a friendly country to help. But they have to take the decision. However, the Bangladeshi Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had recently assured our high commissioner to look into the extremist issue.''