Talking to newsmen, Pilot said Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta met him in New Delhi on Monday and sought his help. ``I am happy to be in the nation's service. But the State Government must maintain a transparent policy,'' he said.

Pilot admitted that overnight he could not bring both groups to the negotiation table, but he would be happy to utilise his ``contacts, information and expertise for the purpose''.

It was Pilot, who brokered the first contact with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M).

Pilot was, however, critical of Assam Government for its handling of militancy. ``Everybody is interested in clinging to his chair here. You must be assertive enough to push through your policy even at the stake of your chair. After all, this is of national interest and not of petty political interest'', he opined.

Pilot allegedthat Intelligence services had totally collapsed and because of that Guwahati had become an unsafe city. ``If this is the situation in Guwahati, what about the remote parts of the State. Strong measures must be taken. There must be a constructive approach by taking all into confidence. The State Government must entrust some creditable people with contacting the ULFA,'' he stated.

Referring to the worsening economic condition of the State, Pilot, demanded that security-related expenditure, incurred by the North-Eastern States, should be reimbursed by the Centre. Former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma who was also present, endorsed Pilot's view in this regard.

Pilot regretted that the Bodo accord was not followed up by the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) Government properly. ``They have not even demarcated the boundary of the Bodoland Autonomous Council (BAC).''