Guwahati: Following the arrests of ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and deputy commander-in-chief Raju Baruah, Chief Minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi said in his first formal statement that the Government was always ready for peace talks with ULFA.

Talking to the reporters on Monday he said, “Our doors for peace talks with the ULFA are open, but then they have to abjure violence and give up the demand of sovereignty.”

In his statement in the winter session of the Assam Assembly, that began today he said, “If they give up violence, we shall welcome them with open arms and if they continue with their armed struggle then we shall continue to be very tough.”

He further said that, “The family members of the ULFA leaders are free and there are no charges against the wives of the arrested militants. They are with the Assam Police and they are free to join their family members whenever they feel like.”

It is also to be mention here that, Rajkhowa’s wife, their two children, Baruah’s wife and one son, and the wife and child of self-styled ULFA foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury also surrendered on Friday.