Separatist rebels in India's north-eastern state of Assam warned on Tuesday of more violence if New Delhi ignored their latest offer for talks. The warning came two weeks ahead of India's August 15 Independence Day, a target for rebel attacks in the past. In 2004 Assamese separatists bombed an Independence day function in the state killing 22 people, mostly children.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh offered to talk to the rebels last December, but only if they gave up violence first.
The rebels, fighting for an independent Assam, say they want to talk without pre-conditions and wrote to Singh last month.
"If the central government does not respond to our offer, we shall have no other alternative but to step up our campaign," the United Liberation Force of Asom (ULFA) said.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi reacted cautiously to the threat, saying security was being tightened ahead of August 15.
"Every Independence day and Republic day, they (the rebels) issue these threats and we take necessary security steps. This time also we are keeping a strict vigil," Gogoi told reporters in New Delhi.
He said the government was ready for talks but added that the rebels had to show some sign of softening their stand.
"There must be a two-way traffic," Gogoi said, referring to the rebel's refusal to shun violence as a precursor for talks.
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