Insurgency declined by 63 pc: MHA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 07 2018: Security situation in the North Eastern States improved substantially in 2017 with insurgency incidents declining by 63 per centas compared to 2014 (824 in 2014, 308 in 2017), according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

MP Dr Thokchom Meinya raised a question in the Lok Sabha yesterday asking the present law and order status in the North East region, number of deaths of security personnel, civilians and insurgents during the last three years and the Government's strategy to tackle the situation.

According to a written reply given by the Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, 2017 witnessed the lowest number of insurgency related incidents since 1997 .

Casualties of security forces in the North East region declined from 17 (2016) to 12 (2017) and civilian casualties from 48 (2016) to 37 (2017) .

In Manipur, 11 security personnel, 11 civilians and nine extremists were killed in 2016 and the corresponding figures for 2017 were 8, 23 and 22 .

Earlier in 2015, 24 security personnel, 15 civilians and 41 insurgents/extremists were killed in the State.

According to the written reply, the Central Government has been following a multi-pronged strategy to deal with insurgency situation in the North Eastern States.

The multi-pronged strategy comprises of security related measures and development related measures.

The Central Government has also been following a policy of talks with those groups which abjure the path of violence and seek resolution of their demands peacefully within the framework of the Constitution of India.

The Government of India has appointed representatives/ interlocutors to hold talks with such groups and the Central Government has been supplementing the efforts of the State Governments through various measures such as deployment of Central armed police forces, financial assistance for strengthening the State Police forces and intelligence agencies, raising of India Reserve Battalions, rehabilitation package for surrenderees and other security related expenditures, Kiren Rijiju said in his written reply.

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