Agartala, Aug 15 (IANS): Communal violence has increased after the BJP-led government headed by Narendra Modi took power in India, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said Friday.

"At least 30 incidents of communal violence have taken place in seven states after the government assumed office in May," Sarkar said after unfurling the tricolour at the Assam Rifles ground here.

He said that people, specially Muslims, in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra were among the worst victims of communal violence in recent months.

He accused the Modi government of following all the policies of the previous Congress government. "Price rise and inflation remained unchecked."

Demanding more power to states, Sarkar, a politburo member of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, urged the central government to suitably amend the Essential Commodities Act (ECA).

Without sweeping changes in the ECA including a ban on the hoarding of essential foodstuff including onion, potatoes and grains, the actual "food security" of the people could not be ensured, he said.

He said that allowing foreign direct investment in insurance and military production and other strategic sectors posed a threat to India's sovereignty.

He stressed the development of surface, air, waterways and telecommunication connectivity in the mountainous northeastern states.

Despite inclement weather, people came out in large numbers in Tripura to participate in Independence Day celebrations.