Home Minister P Chidambaram said in a statement that the Central government has always expressed its willingness to hold a dialogue with any militant group that abjures violence, lays down arms and seeks a solution through peaceful democratic means.
"The Government of India welcomes the announcement made by the ULFA," he said. The Home Minister said it was expected that a Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement will be signed and ground rules for observing the agreement will be finalised in the near future.
"The Government of India in consultation with Government of Assam will facilitate an early start to the talks," he said. ULFA leaders, including its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, had recently met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram and expressed their desire to seek a political solution to their demands.
The pro-talk ULFA faction led Rajkhowa had yesterday announced a unilateral indefinite ceasefire to ensure a peaceful atmosphere for political negotiations.