The Home Minister today indicated that the talks between the Centre and ULFA may begin soon. Replying to a short duration discussion on internal security in the Rajya Sabha today, Mr. P. Chidambaram said that the ULFA is expected to make a political statement. He made it clear that he is only asking the insurgent group to abjure violence and give up their demand for sovereignty. Expressing concern on security situation in Assam and Manipur, he said, four more groups are holding talks with the Centre’s Interlocutor for establishing lasting peace in the Assam.<br/><br/>The Home Minister announced that a significant number of battalions of security forces are being withdrawn from Jammu & Kashmir, following improvement in the situation. He said the process has already begun and some of the forces have been withdrawn. The announcement assumes importance in the wake of demand by some separatist groups for holding talks with centre.<br/><br/>Referring to cross-border terrorism, without naming Pakistan he said, India is as vulnerable today as it was a few months ago as the adversary has not changed its attitude. He noted that the terrorist groups operating from its soil are coordinating their action and one of the groups is even linked to Al-Qaeda. Mr. Chidambram said, the Afghan-Pakistan junction has emerged as the epicenter of terrorism of which India is its victim. Strongly denouncing the religious fanaticism and terrorism, Mr. Chidambaram asserted that government has zero tolerance against such acts. He urged all political parties to rise above partisan considerations to strengthen the secular fabric of the country. Giving details of the steps taken by the government to deal with terror threats, Mr. Chidambaram said there will be a swift and decisive response in case of any attack on India.<br/><br/>Turning to Naxal violence, he described it as the gravest threat to the internal security. He offered to hold talks with the Naxalites in case they give up violence. He said, the government intends to use minimum force to stabilise civil administration in the Naxal affected areas. He asked states to fill up all vacancies in the police to strengthen their preparedness to deal with the threat of terrorism. Mr. Chidambaram said that the priority of the government is to build capacity, confidence and competence of the security forces and they are capable of preventing any terror attacks.<br/>