New Delhi, Apr 7: Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram today said that the Government has strong reasons to believe that the perpetrators of the Assam blasts belong to the ULFA.

Addressing a press conference here, Chidambaram said: "The Government condemns these acts of violence, even while it regrets that it was not possible for the security forces to pre-empt and prevent these incidents."

The Government offered its deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and to those who have been injured in the blasts in which nine persons were killed and 70 others injured.

The Minister said that the ULFA has waged a virtual war against the Indian State for many years.

"The Government has made it clear that it will not yield to ULFA''s demands," he added.

Chidambaram further said that the security forces, and especially the Assam police, have been bravely confronting ULFA cadres.

He said that since January 1, 2009, the security forces have been able to arrest 42 ULFA cadres and neutralise 15 ULFA cadres.

Underlining that the security forces are confronting ULFA practically every day, the Minister said: "The Government wants the people to know that the security forces are confronting ULFA practically every day. Sometimes the security forces are not able to pre-empt or prevent violent incidents. We must remain determined and we must fully back our security forces."

"The Government has no doubt that they will be able to apprehend the perpetrators of the latest crimes," he later said. (ANI)