GUWAHATI, June 25: Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav today categorically ruled out talks with militants in Assam ``till they stopped their violent activities.''

Commending the Army's role under the unified command structure in combating insurgency, Yadav asked reporters how could discussions take place until the ultras stopped their violent activities.

When pointed out that his statement contradicted Prime Minister I K Gujral's recent declaration that the government was open to holding talks with the militants unconditionally, he said, ``if the rebels stopped their activities, then the doors for talks will automatically open.'' He also affirmed that the Army would cease fire if the extremists halted their violent activities.

When asked to spell out the major difficulty faced by the Army in its anti-insurgency operations in Assam, Yadav replied ``Bhutan''. Insurgents from the state have set up camps along the foothills of the mountain kingdom of Bhutan and were carrying on their violent activities from there, he informed.

Agreeing that there was need for increasing the presence of Army along the international Indo-Bhutan border, he said that talks would be held with the prime minister for finding ways to end insurgency being propagated by Indian ultras from their camps in the neighbouring country.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.