Agartala, Feb 24 (IANS): With the growing industrialisation and expansion of railways in Tripura, the mafia activities have also increased in the state, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said here Monday.

"Currently, names of 109 mafias are registered with the state's 18 of the 70 police stations. They are illegally and forcibly collecting money from the people and also involved in many unlawful activities," Sarkar told the Tripura assembly.

"This (increase of mafia activities) is a national trend. With the increasing industrialisation and extension of railway network in Tripura, the mafia activities are also on the rise in the state alongside. This should not be taken in a negative perception," he said.

Opposition Congress legislator Ratan Lal Nath, quoting previous replies of the chief minister in the house, said there were 42 and 34 mafias in the state during 2008 and 2011, respectively.

Replying to the Congress MLA's question, Sarkar, who also holds the home portfolio, said the Left Front government has taken a series of measures to curb the mafia activities in the state.

"Police started confiscating the properties of absconding mafia and killers," he added.

The chief minister regretted that the conviction rate of all types of crime in Tripura is 14.9 percent against the national average of over 38.1 percent.

"The state government has also taken some measures, including setting up of prosecution directorate, to increase the conviction rate," he added.