Mizoram Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai hailed the Mizo Peace Accord, signed in 1986, as a beacon of hope for enduring peace as the northeastern state celebrated its 34th statehood day on Thursday.
Pillai, while addressing a programme here on the occasion, said, “The signing of the historic Mizo Peace Accord on June 30, 1986 remains a beacon of hope for the world that peace can be attained and sustained if the people and leaders choose it over violence.”
Mizoram became the 23rd state of India in 1987 after the Mizo National Front (MNF) signed the peace accord with the Centre, ending a two-decade-long insurgency.
Before attaining statehood, Mizoram was union territory.
Observing that Mizoram’s endeavour since attaining statehood has been to attain self-reliance, Pillai urged the state government and denizens not to solely rely on central funding.
“Mizoram is abundantly blessed with resources in horticulture, handloom, handicrafts, human resource and tourism sectors, which we need to tap. It is our duty to provide a congenial socio-economic setting where our youth can flourish with pride,” he said.
He called upon the state government to work towards achieving a welfare state.Pillai said the Centre has allocated 10 per cent of the Union budget for the development of the Northeast.
He also urged the churches and the NGOs to help the State Government in combating AIDS and cancer. Several programmes were held across the State on the occasion.