Center held talks with the banned ULFA in a bid to find a lasting solution to Assam's three-decade-old insurgency problem. Official sources said, the top leadership of ULFA discussed with government representatives various aspects of the group's charter of demands. Observance of ground rules, signed by the two sides, surrender of arms and ammunition and a total halt of operations by security forces against the pro-talk faction were the key issues discussed in the talks.

Sources said, the six-member ULFA team, led by its Chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and representatives of Central and Assam governments attended the meeting. They included Interlocutor P C Halder and Home Secretary R K Singh. The meeting lasted for one-and-a-half hours and another round is scheduled to be held next month.

ULFA has entered into formal peace talks with the Government after a 32-year-old violent insurgency movement. It signed the Suspension of Operation pact with the government. An eight-member ULFA team had introductory talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram in February this year.