ULFA announces ceasefire

Guwahati: The banned ULFA on Friday announced a 'cessation of hostilities' for the first time in its 27-year-old armed campaign for a separate homeland.

In an e-mail message to the media, ULFA chariman Arabindo Rajkhowa said the organisation "respected the Centre's decision to suspend Army operations and as a reciprocal gesture has announced cessation of hostilities."

The Centre had on Sunday temporarily suspended all Army operations against the ULFA in Assam, apparently to pave the way for direct talks with the outlawed group.

Rajkhowa hoped the ULFA's decision would bring about a atmosphere conducive to talks with the government. He also warned the 'evil forces' not to take advantage of the 'ceasefire' to malign his organisation.

Rajkhowa said the ULFA's decision to stop hostilities to pave the way for talks was in line with the demands of the people of Assam at this hour.

The ULFA message came even as peace brokers Mamoni Raisom Goswami and Rebati Phukan called on Union Home ministry officials in New Delhi for an amicable solution to the decades -old insurgency in Asom.

Rajkhowa assured that the outfit would reciprocate the Centre's gesture. The ''29th Battalion'' of the ULFA, believed to be its deadliest units, had earlier declared suspension of its offensives against the security forces in response to the Centre's gesture.

The ULFA's ''positive'' response was being described as an indication of the group's willingness to sit for direct talks with the Government. The outfit had been in parleys with the Centre since November last through its nominated People's Consultative Group (PCG) and Dr Goswami.