'Proposed ULFA talks a welcome development'

The current efforts to hold talks with the ULFA was a "welcome development", Assam governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh said.

The current efforts to hold talks with the ULFA was a "welcome development", Assam governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singh said on Wednesday.

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Addressing the budget session of the state assembly on the opening day here, Singh said the ULFA had formed an 11-member Peoples Consultative Group (PCG) and the first round of talks with the Centre had been held in September last.

"The second round of talks will take place soon and these are very welcome developments in the interest of our people", he said.

The governor's reference to the PCG assumes significance after one of the group member Lachit Bordoloi had criticised the governor for his remarks on the talks issue and promised to include it as an agenda during the second round of talks scheduled on February 6.

The governor had earlier questioned the "sincerity of the ULFA for talks" which had raised protest from the PCG members.

Singh also appealed to the ULFA to come forward for "direct talks" with the government so that the talks process could be speedier.