'Govt waiting for ULFA's signal to begin peace parleys'

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi today said the state government is ready to take all the "necessary steps" for peace talks the moment it gets "signal" from the banned Ulfa.
   
"We have to get the signal from them (Ulfa). The moment they come forward for the talks we will take all the necessary steps for the talks," Gogoi told reporters at the sidelines of a meeting.
   
"We are seeing how forward they will come for the discussions. Efforts are on for the peace talks and are going in a positive direction," he said.

To a query if he would offer "safe passage" to the Ulfa leaders for the talks, Gogoi said, "whatever they be, we will give all the facilities required for the talks. We will take all the necessary steps for the discussions".
       
Meanwhile, jailed Ulfa "chairman" Arabinda Rajkhowa is said to be ready for a political solution to the insurgency issue through talks if the government was sincere and created a suitable environment for peace talks.
     
Ulfa constituted Peoples Consultative Group member Lachit Bordoloi after meeting Rajkhowa in Guwahati Central Jail said, "he favours a political solution to the Ulfa problem. Rajkhowa, however, expressed doubts over the government's sincerity in creating a congenial atmosphere for the talks."