Muted I-Day celebration in Manipur, roads deserted

Imphal, Agencies: It was a muted Independence Day celebrations in Manipur on Tuesday because of the dawn-to-dusk general strike called by multiple militant outfits and the loss of lives and property of hundreds of people over the last three months in the ethnic strife.

Across rural areas of the state and in major parts of capital Imphal, shops and markets remained closed and streets wore an almost deserted look due to the general strike.

Responding to an official order, government employees in both the hill and valley districts reached their respective offices to take part in the flag hoisting ceremonies.

Local businessman Sarat Th said, "There has been heavy losses to life and property over the last three months and therefore there’s no mood for celebration. My brotherin-law, whose house was burnt in Moreh, is in a relief camp in Imphal East district."

PM's I-Day speech 'crass', filled with lies, says Cong

Opposition parties dismissed PM Modi's Independence Day speech as a "crass election speech filled with distortions, lies, exaggerations and vague promises" and his "farewell" address from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "On 15 August 2023, rather than reporting to the people what his government had achieved in the past nine years, Prime Minister Modi gave a crass election speech filled with distortions, lies, exaggerations and vague promises.''

The AAP claimed Modi gave his "farewell speech" from the ramparts of the Red Fort.