Maoist violence declining consistently: Government

Incidents of violence perpetrated by Left Wing Extremists (LWE) have been declining consistently for the past five years, the government informed Parliament on Wednesday.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir informed Rajya Sabha that 1,048 Maoist attacks were reported in 2016, as against 1,089 incidents in 2015.

The Minister said a total of 1,415 Maoist attacks -- highest in last five years -- were reported in 2012 while the number stood 1,136 in 2013 and 1,091 in 2014.

He said that "the government already has a comprehensive national policy and a multi-pronged action plan to deal with LWE comprising of security related measures, developmental interventions and ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities".

Citing a written document, Ahir said that 213 civilians and 65 security personnel were killed in Maoist attacks in 2016 compared to the killing of 171 civilians and 59 security personnel in 2015. A number of 222 civilians and 88 security personnel were killed In 2014, he said.

The Minister also said that Maoists attacked on 79 infrastructure and economic targets in 2016, the number stood at 127 for 2015 and 100 for 2014.

--IANS

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