Imphal, March 17: Manipur Governor Gurbachan Jagat today told the state Assembly that insurgency and law and order continued to be a matter of concern and a challenge for the state government but it was determined to improve the situation.

“It is a matter of concern that the state continues to face the challenge of insurgency and law and order problems. My government is fully committed to improving the law and order situation,” Jagat told the House on the opening day of the budget session today.

He expressed happiness that the police and security forces had achieved commendable results in counter-insurgency operations.

Giving statistics of achievements, Jagat said 1,703 militants were arrested, 297 killed, 340 weapons and 5707 ammunition, 161 hand grenades, 97 lethod bombs and 600 grams of RDX seized from militants during January 1, 2008, to December 2008. He added that 189 people were detained under the National Security Act and 31 militants surrendered to the government during the same period.

The governor said prompt response by the state’s fire fighting machinery saved property worth Rs 5.66 crore during the same period.

Budget estimate: Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh today presented a budget estimate amounting to Rs 4,549.99 crore for the year 2009-10 with a tentative deficit of Rs 407.2 crore.

Ibobi Singh, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented a vote on account estimate amounting to Rs 1,516.66 crore for use in the first four months of the fiscal year.

Ibobi Singh did not introduce any new tax or increase the rates of existing taxes.

Ibobi Singh put agriculture and allied activities and rural development at the top of his government’s priority list.