Guwahati, Aug. 14: The Birsa Commando Force and the Assam government today signed an agreement on cessation of hostilities for one year with effect from August 15.

A 14-member team of the Birsa Commando Force, led by its chairman Durga Hasda and commander-in-chief Birsing Munda, met Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi at his residence at Khanapara and expressed their willingness to abjure violence and seek a peaceful solution to their problems within the framework of the Constitution.

Welcoming their decision, Gogoi said the Assam government has followed the policy of dealing firmly with militancy and, at the same time, persuading militants to shun violence and seek a solution through peaceful means. “It is in line with this policy that the government today entered into a pact with the militant outfit to cease hostility with immediate effect,” he added.