Assam government's efforts sincere for peace talks : ULFA

"The government is sincere in taking the peace process forward by not opposing the bail petitions of jailed ULFA leaders," ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa told reporters after production in connection with cases against him in the Kamrup District Chief Judicial Magistrate's court here.

"Conducive conditions for holding the talks between ULFA and the government have, however, not been created as we are still in jail though the environment for peace has been created," Rajkhowa said.

"There will be no talks till we are in jail. Therefore, I cannot divulge anyhing about the talks. Only after we come out can I clearly speak about the modalities of the talks," the ULFA leader, who was arrested late last year, said.

Rajkhowa was produced along with other ULFA leaders Chitrabon Hazarika, Sasadhar Choudhury and Pronoti Deka for hearing in cases against them.

ULFA's octogenarian political advisor and idealogue Bhimakanta Buragohain alias 'Mama' was given bail by the Sonitpur District and Sessions court on Friday but he was yet to be released as sureties could not be produced.

Earlier, ULFA vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi and central publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary were released on bail with the government not opposing it.

Meanwhile, the hearing of the bail petition of ULFA 'deputy commander-in-chief' Raju Baruah today in a TADA court was postposed to November one.

Baruah's bail petitions in three cases under TADA were to have been taken up during the day.

Yesterday he was granted bail by a special TADA court here in a murder case filed by CBI charging him with the killing the then Tinsukia district superintendent of police R P Singh and his driver on May 16, 1996.

With the government not opposing his petition, the ULFA leader was granted bail.