Guwahati: The Assam Government was ready to declare ceasefire with the ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam) from October 16 next, if the proscribed insurgent outfit responded positively to the State's offer within 15 days.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told reporters in Guwahati today (Sep 30, 2004) that his Government would cease all its operations against the ULFA if it stopped its subversive activities and responded to the Government gesture.

The grounds for the ceasefire would be prepared in the next 15 days if the outfit responded directly or through its mediators, Gogoi said.

If the ULFA came forward, he said, the Government would not hesitate to announce the ceasefire.

The Chief Minister also said that his Government was open for dialogue with the ULFA and had been regularly reiterating its call for dialogue.

Gogoi also said, that his Government would welcome if the Centre held talks with the ULFA on the lines of the NSCN (National Socialist Council of Nagaland) parleys.

Earlier the AGP regime under Prafulla Kumar Mahanta had unilaterally declared goodwill 'safe passage' to the ultras during the Assamese new year Magh Bihu festival when lower cadres took advantage of the offer, though top leaders kept away from the offer.