230% Increase In Ceasefire Violations In 2017: Govt In Lok Sabha

On January 2, Tuesday, the government informed the Lok Sabha that ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in 2017 compared to 2016 has increased by 230%

Last year, along the LoC, Pakistan violated ceasefire 771 times, while the figure stood at 238 in 2016. Along the Jammu and Kashmir border, there were 110 incidences of ceasefire violations. So, that makes a total of 880 ceasefire violations in 2017. There were 153 violations in 2014.

In 2016, there were 449 ceasefire violations killing 13 civilians and 13 army personnel. More than 89 civilians and 99 security personnel were injured. 2017’s ceasefire violation resulted in the death of 30 people, the government informed Lok Sabha.

The 740 km LoC is under the operational control of the army and 192 km of International Border (IB) in Jammu is manned by the Border Security Force (BSF).

The truce between India and Pakistan along the International Border, the Line of Control and the Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir came into force in November 2003.

Note Ban effect on terror

As the idea of demonetisation was to stop counterfeit notes from funding terrorists, the government also released data on terror incidents since note ban. The data showed an increase of such incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in 2017 in comparison to 2016.

There were 341 terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir from November 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017, in comparison to 311 in the corresponding period the previous year, the Lok Sabha was informed.

Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said in Lok Sabha that incidents of stone throwing have come down in Kashmir. He further said that the overall security situation has improved in the year.

He said Rs 90 lakh had been seized from Maoist cadres and supporters in Naxal-affected areas after the government scrapped Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes on November 8, 2016.

As many as 564 Naxal cadres and sympathisers surrendered during the period from November 8 to November 29, 2016, according to The Hindu.

Ahir further said that insurgency in the North-eastern states has also reduced.