Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said sorry to Indians for his 21-day coronavirus lockdown, saying it is harsh but necessary to beat the pandemic. His words come amid shocking images of police violently enforcing the restrictions, which came into effect Wednesday with just four hours' notice, EDNews reports citing RFI.
“I apologise for taking these harsh steps that have caused difficulties in your lives, especially the poor people,” Prime Minister Modi said in his monthly address, broadcast by state radio. “I know some of you will be angry with me. But these tough measures were needed to win this battle.”
Tuesday's unprecedented lockdown order to keep India's 1.3 billion people at home for all but essential trips to places like markets or pharmacies, is meant to prevent the spread of the virus from surging and overwhelming India's already strained health care system.
Health officials have confirmed 867 cases of the coronavirus, including 25 deaths. Experts have said local spreading is inevitable.