Violence in North East Falls by 85% in 17 years, 2017 Most Peaceful Year: Ministry of Home Affairs

New Delhi: Northeastern states have seen an 85% drop in violent activities in the last 17 years, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Data released by MHA shows that while approximately 2, 000 incidents of violence were recorded in the year 2000, the figure is only 308 in 2017.

Apart from that, about 60% of that fall was achieved in the last five years. In 2013, 732 violent incidents were recorded.

MHA officials said that the year 2017 is one of the most peaceful the region has seen since 1997 when violence peaked.

Minister for State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, credited the drop to successful political engagement with insurgent groups as well as success achieve by security forces.

"Am very happy that number of incidents of violence has come down drastically and peace is prevailing in most areas of North East. It's one of biggest achievement of this govt. This shows PM's focused attention on development of NE is paying dividends," Rijiju said.

Reduction in violence has meant that northeastern states are now recording lesser number of civilian casualties as well as death of security force personnel.

Civilian casualties also dropped significantly, from 107 in 2013 to 37 in 2017. With 67% drop in kidnapping cases last year, the law and order situation has also improved in these states.

Number of Extremists killed have also come down from 138 in 2013 to 57 in 2017.

Tripura and Mizoram have proved to be the most peaceful states with no insurgency related incident reported here. Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram also saw least number of deaths of security force personnel.

The figures were discussed at a high level meeting called by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh which was attended by Rijiju, Home Secretary Rajiv Guaba, senior MHA officials as well as some interlocutors of militant groups.

After the meeting MoS Home Rijiju told CNN-News18 that the Rohingya question was also discussed. "As far as our assessment is concerned, no Rohingya has come to India post 2014," he said.

The meeting also expressed satisfaction with the situation in Assam post the National Register of Citizens coming out.