New Delhi, Aug 15 (EFE).- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that he was working to restore peace in India’s northeast, hit by a wave of months-long ethnic violence that has claimed more than 140 lives and displaced thousands.
“In the last few weeks, Manipur witnessed a wave of violence. Several people lost their lives, and our mothers and sisters were dishonoured,” Modi said as he addressed the country on its 77th Independence Day.
“But peace is slowly returning to the region. India stands with Manipur,” he said.
He said the federal and regional governments were doing everything together to maintain peace in the region.
“The people of Manipur should build on the peace that has been restored over the past few days. The path for a solution will be found through peace in Manipur,” said Modi.
The border state of Manipur has battled months of ethnic violence between two groups — the Meiteis and Kukis.
The violence erupted on May 3 and killed 142 and displaced 60,000, according to official figures.
The prime minister’s admission of deadly violence and mob assaults on women follows opposition criticism over his silence for months.
Last week, his government defeated a no-trust vote in the parliament after opposition leaders forced a debate on the Manipur crisis and demanded that he address the house on the ethnic clashes.
In a 90-minute speech from New Delhi’s historic Red Fort, Modi highlighted his government’s nine-year progress before the country heads to general elections next year.
He said the youth of the most populous country was a key factor to make India a developed nation by 2047 when it marks 100 years of independence. EFE
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