Monday, July 11 2005 15:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today (July 11, 2005) claimed that no direct links had been established with the banned ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) so far by the State Government.

''Till today we have not established direct links with ULFA'', Gogoi told reporters in Guwahati when asked on the current status of the proposed peace talks with the ULFA.

He said that his Government was, however, always in favour of a peaceful solution to the insurgency problem in the State.

On the possibility of declaring ceasefire with ULFA in the event of talks, Gogoi said that he was of the view that it should be on the lines of that of National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isaac-Muivah NSCN (IM).

Noted litterateur Dr Indira (Mamoni) Goswami had initiated steps to bring the banned outfit to the negotiating table and some letters have been exchanged between the Union Home Ministry and the ULFA leadership in this regard so far.

Gogoi said that security has been tightened throughout the State, particularly in the state capital here, on the instructions of the centre after the attack on Ram Mandir at Ayodhya.