A total of 144 people have been killed since January 1 till August 15 this year, Home minister Imkong L. Imchen informed the state assembly Tuesday.
In his reply to a starred question raised by Congress MLAs Chingwang Konyak, Tokheho and KL Chishi, the Home minister said of the total 144 killed included 110 underground cadres, 31 civilians and three security forces personnel. Imchen also said 21 persons were arrested in connection with various killings and booked under National Security Act (NSA).
To Congress MLA Imkong’s query whether the government had given any financial assistance to the civilians killed, Imchen replied in the affirmative.
When Chishi asked what was meant by UG-related civilians killed, the Home minister replied “civilians killed by UGs,” which brought down the house to laughter, forcing chief minister Neiphiu Rio to intervene.
Stating that any killing, particularly the civilians, was unfortunate, Rio said the state government was paying ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh to civilians killed in cross-fire while ex-gratia for security personnel killed in encounters amounted to Rs.5 lakh as per laid down rules. Demanding that the Home minister should come out with full details on killings, senior Congress leader I Imkong also said the minister should be “serious” while replying to questions.
On measures taken by the State government for the safety of the people, Imchen said that along with the NAP and DEF personnel, additional forces of IRB and para-military forces were performing duties round the clock and conducting regular frisking.
Meanwhile, in a written reply to Congress MLA Tokheho, the Home minister disclosed that during March 2006 to July 2008, the state police and security forces seized 155 pistols, 10 carbine & sten guns, 33 AK rifles, 1 SLR, 24 assorted rifles, 17 SBBL, 12 grenades/explosives and 15344 rounds of assorted ammunitions.
He also informed that all cases related to seizure of arms and ammunitions were being settled by the court as per legal provision. “When arms and ammunitions are seized from UG cadres they are deposited with Assam Rifle (AR) for safe custody, the arms and ammunitions thus deposited have to be produced before the courts as and when warranted,” he added.
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