Guwahati, Oct. 26: Nearly two years after Bhutan cleared its southern soil of Indian militants, the Himalayan kingdom is once again poised to play a crucial role in Assam insurgency history, as it holds the answers to questions over the ?missing? Ulfa leaders.

The Ulfa has been demanding information on its missing cadre, including senior leaders Bening Rabha, Asanta Baghphukan and Robin Neog. The outfit has claimed that the trio?s presence is necessary for the group to decide on its talks with the Centre.

Several Ulfa activists, including some senior leaders, had gone missing during the Royal Bhutan Army?s Operation All Clear in December 2003 to flush out militants belonging to the outfit and the National Democratic Front of Boroland.

Highly-placed sources in the state government said here today that Delhi has already been apprised of the need to provide the Ulfa with answers on the missing cadre.

Even some NGOs have raised questions about the missing Ulfa men.

?We have asked the Union government to take up the matter with Bhutan as a priority lest the talks come unstuck at the very outset on this issue,? a senior Dispur official said.

The state government has been maintaining that it is not aware of the whereabouts of the Ulfa cadre.

?It is beyond our realm... Another nation is involved, therefore it is a matter for the Centre to look into,? the official said. ?Basically, the government must be in a position to tell the Ulfa convincingly about the fate of its leaders ? incarcerated, dead or whatever. There has to be an official line. There cannot be any ambiguity on this if Delhi wants the talks to progress smoothly,? he said.

Besides demanding information on the whereabouts the three ?missing? leaders, the Ulfa is likely to continue to press for the release of six of its top leaders, lodged in different jails in India, at some point of time.

The six leaders are its ideologues Bhimkanta Buragohain and Robin Handique, vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary, cultural secretary Pranati Deka and Ramu Mech.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi has said his government had no objection in releasing the leaders who were in jail in the state.

However, problems may arise for the Centre if the Ulfa seeks the release of its general secretary Anup Chetia who is currently lodged in Dhaka jail.