A day after the Bodo pact was signed, senior Assamminister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that the Centre is willing to holdpeace talks with ULFA (Independent) faction and appealed to its leader PareshBarua to come to the negotiating table.

Addressing a press conference at Janata Bhawan today, Sarma said, "The Union Home Minister Amit Shah had clearly said on Monday that if the anti-talk ULFA(I) faction is ready for negotiations, then the Centre is more than willing to hold dialogue with them for the sake of permanent peace in Assam and the Northeast."

Referring to the Bodo pact, Sarma said, "A historic Accord was signed on Monday through discussions with all the factions of the NDFB. The Centre and state government want peace in the region through dialogue."

Mostof the militant outfits in the northeastern states, barring some in Assam andManipur, are holding talks but "if we want peace in the region, it shouldbe inclusive by involving all the factions and the outfits," he said.

Theoffer comes a few days after ULFA (I) claimed responsibility for four serialblasts in Upper Assam districts on the Republic Day.