In Assam, the security forces have been placed on high alert following reports that the anti-talk faction of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), led by self-styled commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, was planning a massive strike in the state ahead of the Independence Day. Security has been beefed up in all vital installations, including the railway stations and tracks, oil pipelines, oil refineries and bridges. ‘The Centre has given green signal for holding peace talks with the banned ULFA outfit of Assam, led by Arabinda Rajkhowa. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told a press conference that the Centre’s peace interlocutor P. C. Haldar was arriving in Guwahati today for the talks. He appealed to the Paresh Baruah-led faction of the ULFA to join the proposed peace talk. Mr. Gogoi said eight other militant groups of the state, including National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), had agreed to participate in the peace talks with the Government.