Insurgency violence in Northeast down by 74%; civilian killing 89%: Govt tells Rajya Sabha

Security situation in the Northeastern States has improved substantially since 2014 and insurgency violence in the region is down by 74% and civilian deaths decreased by 89%, Union minister Nityanand Rai said on March 16.

Also read; Rajya Sabha live updates, March 16, 2022

Mr. Rai said the Government has zero tolerance policy against terrorism and it has initiated peace talks with insurgent groups of the Northeastern States which abjure violence, lay down arms and seek solutions for their problems peacefully within the framework of the Constitution.

He said in Rajya Sabha that as a result, a number of rebel groups have come forward for negotiations and have entered into Suspension of Operations and some of them have signed Memorandum of Settlements and dissolved themselves.

The Minister said those who are not in talks are being dealt with by the Central armed police forces, armed forces and the State police through counter insurgency operations.

“Due to the above strategy, the security situation in the Northeastern States has improved substantially since 2014,” he said in a written reply.

Compared to 2014, he said, the number of insurgency incidents in the Northeast decreased by 74%, civilian deaths by 89% and casualties of security forces by 60%.