India, May 10 -- The situation in DR Congo over the past few weeks has worsened as the fighting between militia groups associated with the Hema and Lendu ethnic groups has intensified.

At least 69 people were killed in Ituri province in the conflict-torn northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), AFP reported quoting local and security sources.

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The fighting in the mineral-rich eastern DRC has been going on for the last 30 years as several armed groups have tried to get control of the mines.

Ituri, where at least 69 people have been killed in latest flare-up, has gold-rich mines and borders Uganda and South Sudan. Hema and Lendu groups have a long history of violent clashes in this region.

Gunmen...