Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday clarified remarks made by a state minister who appeared to praise the banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), saying the comments referred to the group's pro-talks faction. The clarification came days after Assam Minister Biswajit Daimary said ULFA had "protected the state from outside forces for over five decades," according to reports from Hindustan Times and NDTV. ULFA has been designated a banned organization under Indian law.