Guwahati/New Delhi: The central government and the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) Saturday signed an agreement for bilateral ceasefire and to work towards a political solution to more than three decades of violent insurgency in Assam.

The agreement was signed between the ULFA leadership and union home ministry officials in New Delhi. Assam government officials were also present.

"We have signed the suspension of operations agreement with the central government. Now, it would pave the way for political level talks," ULFA 'foreign secretary' Sasha Choudhury said after signing the ceasefire accord.

ULFA finance secretary Chitraban Hazarika and ULFA deputy commander in chief Raju Baruah too were present during the meeting.

Union Joint Secretary (Home) Sambhu Singh represented the central government.

"We cannot divulge details of the agreement," Singh said.

The ULFA offered a unilateral ceasefire earlier this year and held the first round of peace talks in July with Home Minister P. Chidambaram.

"We have agreed for the ceasefire but we are not surrendering weapons at this stage," Choudhury said.

The next round of talks is expected soon.

 

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