Militant violence claimed more civilian lives in the North East region than in Jammu and Kashmir. According to latest data from the Union Home Ministry, there were 1,489 incidents of violent incidents in the region in 2007 as against 1,000 in Jammu and Kashmir. Civilian casualties stood at 498 as against 158 in J and K. Of the 498 civilian casualties in the Northeast, 287 were from Assam alone1.

In other developments, as many as 27 United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants surrendered their arms in Assam’s Baksa district on April 252.

Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh warned all state ministers, legislators and officials against establishing links with militant groups. Mr. Singh’s warning, in Thoubal district on April 23 came in the wake of reports which alleged that several politicians, government officials and civil society organisations had links with the militants3.

Elsewhere, at least four Naga insurgents were killed in factional clashes between cadres of the Isak-Muivah and Unification factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) at Dimapur in Nagaland on April 22. The Naga groups have renewed their feud in recent times4.

• 1. “NE overtakes Kashmir in insurgency deaths,” Kashmir Times, April 25, 2008, at http://kashmirtimes.com/news5.htm
• 2. “More Ulfa rebels lay down arms,” Telegraph, April 26, 2008, at http://telegraphindia.com/1080426/jsp/northeast/story_9189174.jsp
• 3. “CM glare on rebel link - Manipur ministers told to steer clear of militants,” Telegraph, April 24, 2008, at http://telegraphindia.com/1080424/jsp/northeast/story_9177910.jsp
• 4. “Naga clashes rock Dimapur - Khaplang calls meeting tomorrow,” Telegraph, April 23, 2008, at http://telegraphindia.com/1080423/jsp/northeast/story_9173713.jsp