- NET Web Desk
The Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs – Nityanand Rai asserted that security situation in northeastern states has improved substantially since 2014, after initiating peace talks/negotiations with insurgent groups of Northeastern states within the framework of Indian Constitution.
According to Rai, as compared to 2014, the number of insurgency incidents in the North Eastern States decreased by 74% (2014 – 824, 2021 – 209), civilian deaths by 89% (2014 – 212, 2021 – 23) and Security Forces casualties by 60% (2014 – 20, 2021 – 8).
Responding to a query from the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) MP – Jharna Das Baidya regarding the law & order situation in Northeastern states, Rai remarked that peaceful negotiations have led a number of militant outfits enter the Suspension of Operations (SoO) and some of them have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and dissolved themselves.
“Those who are not in talks are being dealt with by the Central Armed Police Forces, Armed Forces and State Police through Counter Insurgency Operations.” – further reads an official statement.
In its response, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) further mentioned that “though Law & Order is a State subject, the Central Government is supplementing efforts of State Governments of North East for maintaining law and order and curbing illegal and unlawful activities through various measures which inter-alia include deployment of Central Armed Police Forces, reimbursement of security related expenditure (SRE) under SRE Scheme, central assistance for modernization of State Police Forces, sanction of India Reserve Battalions, banning the Unlawful Associations operating in NE Region under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) and declaring specific areas as ‘disturbed areas’ under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA).”
“Adequate security is provided to public representatives based on threat assessment.” – the response adds.
