1,034 security personnel killed in Maoist attacks in 5 years

NEW DELHI: As many as 1,034 security force personnel were killed in Maoist attacks in the last five years and seven months, Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Giving details, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said 61 security personnel were killed in Maoist attack up to July 31. The toll stood at 115 in 2013.

In all, 1034 security forces personnel were killed in such attacks from 2009 to July 2014.

The Minister said ex-gratia compensation of Rs 15 lakh is paid to the next of kin of personnel of Central Armed Police Forces killed in action.

Besides this, state governments have their own policies for payment of ex-gratia to families of personnel killed in Naxal attacks and compassionate appointment of next of kin of deceased policemen in government jobs.

In addition, under the Security Related Expenditure Scheme, ex-gratia payment of Rs 3 lakh to the family of each security personnel killed due to LWE violence is reimbursed to the states by the Centre.

Replying to another question, Rijiju said a number of insurgent/militant outfits have surrendered along with their weapons and joined mainstream pursuant to scheme of 'surrender -cum-rehabilitation' of militants of North-Eastern Region.

But still, a number of insurgent groups are active in the tribal areas of the country.

"Ethnicity, tribal rivalries, inter-community tensions, perception of neglect, feeling of exploitation and alienation are amongst the factors responsible for discontent," he said.

The Home Ministry is implementing a scheme for 'surrender -cum-rehabilitation' of militants of North Eastern Region to "wean away" the misguided youth and hard-core militants who have strayed into the fold of militancy.

To questions related to citizenship to Hindu families who migrated from Pakistan, the Minister said migrants who have been granted long term visa can take up any employment in private sector. He, however, admitted the citizenship process is long and not very fast.

Regarding left behind properties of the migrants, Rijiju said Pakistan is sovereign country and India cannot intervene in its internal policies.

He, however said that based on reports of persecution of minority groups in Pakistan, Government has taken up the matter with the Government of Pakistan.