KATHMANDU, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Nepali Minister for Peace and Reconstruction, Janardhan Sharma has held informal talks with leaders of armed groups in South Nepal's Terai plain on Monday, the Nepali national news agency RSS reported.

    Sharma, who is also the head of government's talks team held an informal meeting with the coordinator of the talks team of a joint front of six armed groups, Madhes Nation Peoples Party, at Kunauliarea in India, near Saptari district, some 190 km southeast of Nepali capital Kathmandu.

    The meeting lasted for about an hour during which both sides expressed commitment to sit for formal talks at the earliest, said the report.

    Sharma assured the armed groups to discuss their demands with government and members of government talk-team.

    The rebel leaders had come on a vehicle with Indian number plate, according to report.

    Sharma later told reporters that his meeting with the rebel leaders is a positive development of peace process in Southern plain.

    Meanwhile, armed outfit announced ceasefire effective from Monday in view of the start of negotiation process.

    After the informal meeting, Sharma met senior security officers and asked them to take caution while taking any security actions to ensure peace talks are not disrupted.