Indian Prime Minister, Narenda Modi, acknowledged concerns about Christian persecution from mainly Hindu militants, but largely denied a government role in causing them, according to a delegation of Catholic leaders who met him last Friday.

The delegation led by Syro-Malabar Archbishop Andrews Thazhath met with Modi to press him on religious freedom and the rights of Christian minorities, including members of the oft-neglected Dalit and Tribal groups.

In particular, the bishops raised concerns about ongoing violence in the northeastern state of Manipur which has pitted a majority Hindu ethnic group against a minority Christian population, with an estimated 70,000 Christians displaced and roughly 400 churches destroyed.

“Our anxieties were heard in a way that he expressed solidarity, but he said every time (that) some fringe groups or somebody else is doing it. (That) it’s not the political party or government,” Thazhath said.

Regarding the violence in Manipur, Thazhath said Modi told the bishops that “it is an ethnic conflict, and it does not have a communal color,” meaning not a matter of Hindu v. Christian. Modi insisted, Thazhath said, that the government is “taking all steps” to restore peace.