New Delhi, Apr 13 (UNI) India on Thursday said it had seen the disturbing reports of the airstrikes in Myanmar’s Sagaing region that killed around 100 people on April 11, and reiterated its call for cessation of violence by all sides and return of peace, stability and democracy in the neighboring nation.
Ministry of External Affairs spokes person Arindam Bagchi, answering a query on the issue at the weekly briefing, said:
“We have seen disturbing reports of violence on April 11, near Kanbulu township in the Sagaing region.
“As a neighbour and friend of the people of Myanmar we have repeatedly called for cessation of violence by all sides; and peaceful resolution of all issues.
“India reiterates its call for a return of peace, stability and democracy in Myanmar,” he said.
Myanmar’s military junta confirmed a deadly air strike on a village in the country’s centre in the Sagaing region late on April 11 night.
Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun acknowledged that “There was.. (a People’s Defence Force)office opening ceremony … (April 11) morning about 8 am at Pazi Gyi village”. He said some of the dead were anti-coup fighters in uniform, but acknowledged that “there could be some people with civilian clothes.”
The Sagaing region, close to Mandalay, is the second-largest city in the nation.
UN rights chief Volker Turk said he was “horrified” by the deadly air strikes, whose victims he said included schoolchildren performing dances. The UN has called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
It was the junta’s deadliest strike since it seized power in February 2021. At least 30 children were reported to be among the dead.
