GUWAHATI, Feb 2 - The State Government today said that the killing of civilians and security personnel has declined significantly during recent years.
Replying to a call attention motion by AIUDF MLA Abdur Rahim Khan in the Legislative Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rakibul Hussain said that only four security personnel died in counter-insurgency operations in 2014, and none in 2015.
Similarly, 10 civilians were killed by militants in 2015, and none so far in 2016.
�The situation has improved significantly since our Government took charge. The fear psychosis that existed earlier is now absent. A total of 89 security personnel had died in 1997, 77 in 1998 and 87 in 1999. No doubt, in some areas problems do exist, but the
situation now is much better,� Hussain said.
Seeking cooperation of the Opposition parties, Hussain said the maintenance of peace is the prime objective of the State government.
Earlier, citing a media report, AIUDF�s Khan said that 272 police personnel lost their lives in Assam during the last 15 years.
�Those who are engaged in giving protection to VIPs and VVIPs have themselves no protection,� he said.
He added that many incidents, like the recent death of Sub Inspector Vinod Phangsho in Golaghat district, are shrouded in mystery.