Guwahati: Union Minister Anurag Thakur claimed on Monday that the Northeast of India entered an era of calm after 2014 and that there had been a marked decrease in insurgency-related violence by providing statistical evidence to support this claim.
“The era of peace started in the northeast after 2014. 80 per cent reduction in insurgency violence, 89 per cent reduction in civilian deaths and 6000 militants surrendered after 2014. 265 per cent reduction in left-wing extremism,” said Union Minister Anurag Thakur.
His remarks came while addressing a press conference in the national capital today.
“The approach adopted by Modi Govt is zero tolerance for terror. Decisive action has given us definitive results. If you look at surgical strikes and Balakot strike and strike after strike against terrorists has reduced terrorism by 168% in J&K since 2014,” said Thakur.
The Union Minister also highlighted the Centre’s take on terrorism and said, “India’s policy was always of zero tolerance against terrorism. Be it strengthening of UAPA law or NIA act amendment bill. The Indian government left no stone unturned under PM Modi’s leadership.”
“Modi government did not hesitate to ban an outfit (PFI) that promoted radicalisation on the pretext of social welfare, we conducted thorough probe against the outfit and arrested its members. Action against radical organisations will continue,” he added.
Thakur emphasised the rescue efforts and listed several actions and ongoing operations by the current federal administration.
He stated that PM Modi has consistently asked countries to band together to fight terrorism on international platforms and said, “While India is bringing the world together against terrorism, some of our neighbouring countries are backing terrorism and loudly speaking in favour of it. Their true face has been revealed at the international level.”
His comments followed the recent clash between Chinese and Indian forces in the Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh.
Sources stated on Monday (December 12) that a clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang region on December 9 resulted in minor casualties “to a few personnel” on both sides and that both sides swiftly withdrew from the area.
The Chinese troops attempted to cross the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Yangtse in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh in an effort to “unilaterally change the status quo,” but were met with a “firm and resolute response” by the Indian soldiers, forcing them to retreat to their positions, according to a statement made by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Parliament on Tuesday.
There were minor injuries to a few people on either side as a result of the physical altercation, according to Singh, but “there were no fatalities or casualties” on the Indian side.
He added, “Our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt to alter the status quo on the LAC.”