North-eastern India witnessed in 2010 lowest level of violence in many years

New Delhi, Feb 1 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Tuesday said that there has been a " dramatic change in the situation in the North East in 2010" which witnessed the lowest level of violence in many years.

Addressing the Chief Ministers on internal security here, Chidambaram said: "The other challenge to security is the challenge posed by insurgent groups, especially in the North Eastern States. It gives me great satisfaction to report that there has been a dramatic change in the situation in the North East."e said barring Assam and Manipur, the other States have shown remarkable improvement.

"No civilian was killed in Nagaland or Mizoram. No security personnel was killed in Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland or Mizoram," he added.

He further said that nine insurgent groups are in talks with the Government or are poised to commence talks. The time has come to change our perceptions of the insurgent groups.

"So long as they are willing to talk and reach honourable and just settlements, we must treat their leaders honorably and fairly, we must give their cadres an opportunity to return to the mainstream of society and start new lives and we must prepare the people for reconciliation," he said.

"We hope to be able to conclude agreements with some of the groups in the near future, and I seek your good wishes and support in this regard," he added. (ANI)