Saturday, January 7 2006 18:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today (Jan 7,2006) made a ceasefire offer to the banned United Liberation front of Assam (ULFA) provided they responded positively to the 14-day safe passage offered to theoutfit from today to visit their families during the Magh Bihu festival.

"I am extending my hand and asking them to also come forward. Ceasefire is a two-way traffic. It is an agreement between two parties. If they respond to the safe passage offer then we can go for ceasefire from both sides", Gogoi told reporters here.

"I appeal them to make a ceasefire agreement and come for direct talks with the Government", the Chief Minister said.

"Though there is no positive response from the ULFA yet to my offer for them (ULFA members) to visit their families during the Assamese Magh Bihu festival, but I have no problem in extending the time to facilitate them to visit their dear ones", he assured.

Earlier Gogoi had said that if the ULFA responded positively to the safe passage offer then he would send a proposal to the Union Home ministry to the effect.

The Chief Minister on new year's day offered the safe passage facility to ULFA for its leaders and cadres to visit their near and dear ones during the Assamese festival and also for the new year.

"They will only have to inform us and then visit their families. They will also have to come unarmed and we will not arrest them and let them go back also", the Chief Minister assured.