Thursday, June 22 2006 17:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Centre today (June 22, 2006) assured a group of negotiators nominated by the ULFA that it would favourably consider the banned militant group's demand for release of some of its jailed leaders as part of the peace process in Assam.

"This assurance was given by Home Minister Shivraj Patil at a meeting here with the 11-member People's Consultative Group (PCG), which includes Delhi University professor Indira Goswami who has been playing a key role in negotiations on behalf of ULFA," official sources said.

"The ULFA had last year demanded the release of Prodip Gogoi, Ramu Mech, Bhimkanta Buragohain, Pranati Deka and Mrinal Hazarika as a pre-condition for beginning direct talks with the government," the sources said.

The group said these leaders should be freed as they were members of its central executive council which has to meet to take the peace process forward.

The third round of talks between the PCG and the Centre were held against the backdrop of a spurt in ULFA-sponsored attacks in Assam and the government's allegation that the insurgent group was adopting pressure tactics by indulging in violence, a charge denied by the outfit.

The meeting also discussed ways to prepare the grounds for direct talks with the ULFA.

"The talks are being held to discuss various issues as part of a peace dialogue and to prepare the ground for direct parleys between ULFA and the Centre," an official source said.

Besides Patil, the meeting was attended by National Security Advisor M K Narayanan, Home Secretary V K Duggal and Intelligence Bureau Chief E S L Narasimhan.