Wednesday, September 20 2006 17:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Guwahati: With the ceasefire with the outlawed ULFA set to end today (Sept 20,2006), Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the peace process in the has not hit a road-block as there is ample scope for a 'positive result'.

"I do not think that there is a deadlock in the ULFA peace process and am hopeful it will result in a positive outcome," Gogoi told reporters here.

Stating he was not in the picture, Gogoi said he was available anytime to facilitate the peace process for solving the insurgency problem. He also said he was not opposed to the release from jail of five top ULFA leaders as demanded by the group.

"The (ULFA-nominated) People's Consultative Group is in touch with the Centre and not me, and I am in the dark about what they discuss with the Centre. However, I will continue to play the role of a facilitator and always react positively to any suggestion made in this regard," Gogoi said.

The PCG yesterday asked the Centre to extend the ceasefire by a month and the government's response is expected today.

Mediators Indira Goswami and Rebati Phukan are in constant touch with the Centre, Gogoi said.

He assured he would favourably consider any written request from ULFA for the release of its jailed leaders. "If the ULFA can convince the Centre, we will have no problem in releasing their leaders. But let them first come for talks," he said.

Confirming that the ULFA and National Democratic Front of Bodoland were continuing with their extortion activities despite their ceasefire with the Centre, he said instructions had been given to police for containing such activities.