Guwahati: Assam's major militant outfit NDFB (National Democratic Front of Bodoland) has formally handed over to the State Government its offer of six-month ceasefire from today (Oct 15, 2004), which Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi termed as a "step in the right direction" to help restore peace in the region.

Gogoi told sources that the outfit's President D R Nabla had directly sent him the letter containing the offer of truce for six months with effect from today.

He said he would communicate to the Centre the NDFB's offer.

Gogoi said an NDFB messenger carried a signed letter of Nabla declaring the ceasefire "to create a congenial atmosphere and initiate talks with the Government of India."

The letter, according to the Chief Minister said, "In response to the offer for ceasefire by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, the NDFB has declared a ceasefire with effect from October 15 for a period of six months. All the commanders of Bodoland Army are asked to immediately suspend hostilities."

Asked whether the Government would suspend its anti-militancy operations against the outfit, Gogoi said, "We will take appropriate steps now that they directly contacted me offering their ceasefire from today through a letter."

On October 8 Nabla and NDFB commander-in-chief B Surranggra had in an e-mail to the media declared the ceasefire from today in response to Gogoi's offer.

Gogoi said, NDFB's offer was a "good sign and a step in the right direction" and all insurgent groups, except ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom), have come forward with ceasefire offer and their willingness to have talks with the Government.