1,450 militants arrested last year in Assam

Guwahati, Feb 1: Nearly 1,450 cadres of different militant groups were arrested across the state last year and a huge cache of arms and ammunition seized, Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya informed the Assembly.

"During 2015, the security forces apprehended 1,449 cadres of different militant groups," Acharya said in his address to the House on the first day of the February Session. The Governor's speech, which was disrupted due to interruption by a united opposition, was considered read. "

The security forces also recovered 577 assorted arms, 15,515 rounds of live ammunition, 58 IEDs, 307 grenades, 144 kg of explosives, 2,979 detonators and cash amounting to Rs 29,85,510 from different extremist elements," he added.

Acharya also said 58 militants and 10 civilians were killed last year in encounters, while 49 other people were kidnapped in extremist-related incidents.

"Identification of one module of JMB in the state in the wake of the blast in Khagragarh, Burdwan district, West Bengal, led to the arrest of 30 members of the module from Barpeta, Nalbari and Chirang districts of Assam as well as recovery of 10 bombs," he added.

Acharya said efforts are going on to apprehend the remaining members of the module. Currently 13 militant groups are on the path of joining the mainstream after laying down their arms, he said.

"My government would also like to appeal to Shri Paresh Baruah and his faction of the ULFA and other insurgent groups to give up the path of violence and come back to the national mainstream in the interest of the people of Assam and the country at large," he added.

On the illegal immigrants issue, Acharya said 2.26 lakh cases are pending before various foreigners tribunal, including transferred IM(D)T and 'D' voter cases.

"My government has made available the services of over 39,000 state employees for the purpose of NRC updation," he added.

The Governor said the contribution of agriculture to GDP has increased by 40 per cent currently compared to 2000-01 with the sector witnessing a growth of 3.16 per cent during the 2014-15 financial year.

PTI