NEW DELHI, Dec 30: A new report by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has revealed that insurgency-related violence in the northeastern states of India saw a significant rise in 2023, with the total number of such incidents reaching 243, up from 201 in 2022 and 209 in 2021. The rise in incidents was primarily attributed to the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur, which recorded the highest number of insurgency-related incidents in the region.

The report highlighted a sharp increase in civilian fatalities, with 38 civilians killed in 2023 compared to just seven in 2022 and 23 in 2021. In addition, eight security personnel lost their lives in 2023. The first three months of 2024 have already seen 77 insurgency-related incidents, resulting in nine civilian deaths and the abduction of 53 individuals.

Counter-insurgency operations in the region have led to the neutralization of 40 insurgents, the arrest of 407 insurgents, and the recovery of 147 arms. In 2023, 1,595 members of various insurgent outfits from northeastern states surrendered, handing over 459 arms and joining the mainstream of society.

While states like Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Tripura remained largely peaceful, other states, particularly Manipur, saw significant insurgency-related violence. Manipur recorded 187 such incidents, followed by Nagaland with 35 incidents, Arunachal Pradesh with 19, and Assam with eight.

The MHA also noted improvements in the overall security situation across the region, which led to the partial withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in 2023. AFSPA was completely lifted from all districts except for four in Assam, 19 police station areas in seven districts of Manipur, and 18 police station areas in eight districts of Nagaland. In Arunachal Pradesh, AFSPA remained in place in three police station areas in Namsai district, as well as in the districts of Tirap, Changlang, and Longding.