Guwahati, Sept. 4: The pro-peace Ulfa leaders have embarked on a drive to collect relief materials for the flood victims of Majuli island.

Majuli, one of the areas of operations of the peaceniks of Ulfa’s 28 battalion, continues to reel under floods that have left more than 90 per cent of the island inundated.

For the first time the pro-talks group, so far busy in gathering public support to initiate the peace process, has taken up welfare activities.

The Ulfa leaders will visit Majuli on September 16 and 17 to distribute relief materials. They will also set up a health camp on the island.

“We have a responsibility towards the flood-hit people of Assam. Our effort is part of the peace initiative we have taken for the past three months,” the commander of the Alpha and the Charlie companies of the 28 battalion, Jiten Dutta, said over phone.

Dutta said the group had appealed to the people of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh to donate for the flood-hit. “We started the drive yesterday and are already getting good response.”

He said the group would not collect donation as that would violate the ceasefire pact. “We will invite the donors to accompany us to the island so that they become a part of the entire process.”

The Small Tea Growers’ Association had agreed to offer its help, he said.

Dutta said the group would also collect donation from Jorhat and Sivasagar districts for the flood victims of Dhemaji and Lahkimpur.