I would like to send out a clear message to the militants that my government is keen on a political solutio

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi

"Solving the insurgency problem will top my government's agenda. Without peace, the state will continue to be economically stagnant," reports quoted Mr Gogoi as saying.

Congress won the Assam state elections held last week, defeating the incumbent Asom Gana Parishad and its alliance partner, the BJP.

Assam was hit by separatist violence in the run-up to the polls, which claimed the lives of more than 20 people, including a candidate of the BJP.

There are thousands of federal troops in Assam

Mr Gogoi said the constant violence - by the separatists as well as the security forces - had left a psychological scar on the Assamese.

He said he would approach the federal government in Delhi to consider a unilateral ceasefire against the separatists, similar to one in place in Kashmir.

"I would like to send out a clear message to the militants that my government is keen on a political solution to the insurgency problem," Mr Gogoi said.

Ground reality

But during the election campaign, Indian Home Minister LK Advani ruled out a Kashmir-style truce because the situation in the two states, he said, was totally different.

Mr Advani also said he was upset that the main rebel group - the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) - had turned down an offer of unconditional dialogue.

Correspondents say a ceasefire declaration by Assam's new administration is unlikely to be effective if Delhi opposes it.

There are thousands of Indian army and special forces troops operating in the state and it is not clear if they will honour a ceasefire that is not backed by the federal government.

Assam has been hit by separatist violence for the past 20 years and more than 10,000 people have died during this period.