AGARTALA, May 28 ? Tripura has virtually turned into a killing field with 1150 people killed by tribal militants during the last five years. The figure, which was given by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar who also holds the Home portfolio, of course did not include those 31 who were killed on May 7. The Chief Minister placed the figure at the Assembly while replying to a question by Opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath.
The Chief Minister said from April 10, 1998, to April 30, 2003 as many as 1150 innocent people were butchered by the militants. And during this period, 551 were kidnapped. Among them 140 were killed while in militants? captivity and 317 are still being held captive. In the militants attacks, 89 persons were maimed.
What is more all these killings and kidnappings are being committed by tribal militants whose total strengths, according to the Chief Minister, is being estimated at 1405. The Chief Minister also gave the break-up of the militant organisations active in the State; NLFT (Biswamohan)-700, NLFT (Nayanbashi)-125, NCT-80 and ATTF-500.
According to data placed on the floor of the House, the total strength of the police and security forces are: Tripura police-9504, Home guards-2645, TSR-eight battalions (two more battalions are presently under training), Assam Rifles four battalions. Added to it are the nine battalions of the BSF and Army personnel from the Artillery. Two more BSF battalions are coming to Tripura, informed the Chief Minister.