In Independence Day speech, Modi says situation in Manipur improving

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the situation in Manipur is witnessing a spell of normalcy after weeks of violence while urging people in the north-eastern state to build on this, as the path for solution is through peace.

Modi emphasised that many people lost their lives while the honour of mothers and daughters suffered a lot, as he addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 77th Independence Day.

"In the last few weeks in the north-east and also in some other parts of the country, but especially in Manipur, there has been a spell of violence, where many people lost their lives, and the dignity of mothers and daughters was violated. However, in the last few days, we have been hearing continuous reports of peace. The entire nation is with Manipur,” he said.

"The people of Manipur have maintained peace in the past few days, and they should continue to foster that peace, as it is the path to resolution. Both the state and central governments are working together to find solutions to the issues and will continue to do so," he said.

This is the third time Modi is referring to Manipur -- the first on July 20 and then during his response to the no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha on August 10 -- since ethnic violence broke out in the north-eastern state on May 3.

However, the Opposition was not impressed with Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh alleging that Modi “barely” addressed the devastation caused by the violence in Manipur, “casually comparing” it with incidents in other parts of the country.

“He showed no sorrow or acknowledgment of the abject failures which have led to Manipur turning into a war zone. He brazenly claimed that Bharat Mata is being rejuvenated in Amrit Kaal - when the whole nation has witnessed her fate in Manipur where women are being brutally violated,” he said in a statement.

The Opposition has been accusing Modi of remaining silent on Manipur and claimed that it had to bring a no-confidence motion to make him speak on the violence in Parliament. They had also demanded that he lead an all-party delegation to the troubled state.

When asked about Modi's claim of peace returning to Manipur, senior Congress leader Bhakta Charan Das said, "if peace has returned to Manipur, then instead of addressing from Red Fort, the Prime Minister should go to Manipur and speak from there. When the Prime Minister speaks from Manipur, then people will know whether there is peace or not."

Das, who is also party's Manipur incharge, said for the past over three-and-half months, violence has been continuing and the government has not done anything to control it. "They could have done it but they haven't," he added.