The upward graph of terrorism and militancy in the North East is evident from the statistics of rise in killings in 2006 and 2007 as per Table Four states surveyed have indicated a rise in violence. In the case of Assam and Manipur the increase is noticeable while in other cases it may be considered as substantial. The situation is therefore grievous necessitating a comprehensive approach to bring down the levels in all the states.

ULFA`s Economic Terror Trail

ULFA`s economic terror trail was evident with the killing of a number of traders in the state to include Omprakash Agarwala of Sivasagar District and Ghanshyam Maheshwari of Dhemaji district who were gunned down for not paying demands by the outfit. ULFA Commander in Chief, Paresh Barua had indicated that those Indians (Hindi Speaking) who do not pay, “taxes” will be eliminated. Thus reports also indicated that there was some migration of Hindi speaking traders and workers from the state which comprise 5 percent of the state population but have a major influence in trading, management of teak, oil and other industries. (Hindustan Times Report. 9 November 2006, p 8).

Data culled from sair.org will reveal the nature of economic crisis of insurgency in Assam over the years. No of incidents where militants have targeted oil and gas pipelines since 1996 are as given below