Question : PERSONS KILLED BY LANDMINE BLASTS

(a) whether a survey carried out by the Indian Institute for Peace Disarmament and Environment Protection (IIPDEP) shows that 58 civilians have been killed and 310 others injured by anti-personnel landmines between January, 2002 and March, 2004 in the three States bordering Pakistan;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether these landmines were supposedly removed a year ago but casualities continue even today;

(d) if so, the facts thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE)

(a) & (b): As per the figures available with the Army Head Quarters the total number of civilians killed and injured in landmine blasts during the period 1st January, 2002 to 30th November, 2004 in the three States bordering Pakistan namely Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir are 48 and 236 respectively. Ministry of Defence is however not aware of the survey conducted by IIPDEP.

(c) & (d): De-mining operations commenced in November, 2002 and most of the work has been completed. Process of recovery of remaining mines is still underway. A small quantity of mines still remain unaccounted for due to prolonged deployment, mines drifting due to heavy rains, rodents shifting the mines and growth of dense vegetation obstructing recovery operations in the mine fields. The unrecovered mines remain potential risks.

(e) De-mining operations in areas suspected to have mines are still in progress. Trained soldiers and specialised equipment are being used. Even where all mines have been reasonably accounted for, the land has been handed over to the owner with precautionary advice to the users.