Violence no solution, seek dialogue: PM in 'Mann ki Baat'

Violence never resolves any issue and no problem can be worked out by creating another, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in his monthly 'Mann ki Baat' radio address -- the first of the year.

He appealed to those seeking to settle issues through violence to return to the mainstream, saying they should have faith in the capabilities of India to resolve matters peacefully.

Noting that insurgency in the northeast has reduced 'considerably', the prime minister said, "Violence never resolves any issue."

"On the solemn occasion of Republic Day, I would appeal to anyone in any part of the country, who's still seeking solutions to problems through violence and weapons, to return to the mainstream. They should have faith in their own capabilities and the capabilities of this country to resolve issues peacefully," Modi said.

He urged people to together 'forge a new India, where every issue is resolved on a platform of peace'.

The prime minister pointed out that a few days ago, 644 militants from eight different groups surrendered with their weapons.

"Those who had strayed towards the path of violence have expressed their faith in peace and decided to become a partner in the country's progress and return to the mainstream," he said.

Last year in Tripura more than 80 people left the path of violence and returned to the mainstream.

"Those who had picked up weapons thinking that violence could solve problems, now firmly believe that the only way to solve any dispute is peace and togetherness," the prime minister said in his radio address.

The biggest reason behind the reduction in insurgency in the northeast is that "every issue of the region is being honestly and peacefully solved through dialogue", he said.

Noting that the 21st century is the era of knowledge, science and democracy, Modi wondered whether anyone has ever heard of a place where life has turned better due to violence.

"Have you ever heard of a place where peace and goodwill have been impediments in the quest of a good life? Violence never resolves any issue.

"No problem in the world can be solved by creating another problem. It can only be solved by seeking an optimal solution," the prime minister said.

Referring to the resettlement of Bru-Reang refugees in Tripura, Modi said the agreement reached between the Centre, Tripura and the Mizoram governments is a fine example of 'cooperative federalism'.

He said with the agreement, the nearly 25-year-old Bru-Reang refugee crisis -- 'a painful chapter' -- was forever put to an end.

Going into the genesis of the issue, he said in 1997, ethnic tension forced the Bru-Reang tribe to leave Mizoram and take refuge in Tripura where they were kept in temporary camps in Kanchanpur.

"It is painful that the Bru-Reang community lost a significant part of their lives as refugees. Life in camps meant that they were deprived of all basic amenities. How painful had it been to spend every moment, every day of their lives hurtling towards an uncertain future.

"Governments came and went, but there was no cure for their pain. Despite that, their unwavering belief in the Indian Constitution and culture continued," the prime minister said.

Around 34,000 Bru refugees will be rehabilitated in Tripura.

The government will provide an assistance of close to Rs 600 crore for their rehabilitation and all-round development.