New Delhi (PTI) Hardening its stand on militants operating in the North Eastern region, the Centre on Friday made it clear that insurgent groups cannot offer ceasefire to a sovereign country and told them to lay down arms first before holding talks.

"We have made it very clear that we will not entertain any ceasefire from militant groups. Militant groups are most welcome to abjure the path of violence, lay down arms and come for talks," Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in the Rajya Sabha.

Responding to a Calling Attention Notice on ethnic violence in the North Cachar hills district of Assam, he said "militant groups cannot offer ceasefire to a sovereign country. First abjure the path of violence, then we will talk.

They can form political party and contest elections."

The Home Minister said the Dima Halam Daogah (Joel group), which has been banned, has offered ceasefire.

To a supplementary whether there was any foreign hand in the violence in the NC Hills district, he said "obviously" they would get help from across the border if their leaders got safe haven outside. "Indian hands become foreign hands when they operate from outside", he said.

He said a total of 63 persons -- 39 belonging to the Naga community and 24 to the Dimasa community -- have been killed and 528 houses burnt in the N.C. Hills district.

The Centre has alerted Assam, Manipur and Nagaland governments that Naga militants are likely to take advantage of the ethnic tensions in North Cachar hills, he said. Also see