Unfurling the national tricolour on the 62nd Republic Day at the Secretariat Plaza, Mr Kumar congratulated all the NGOs, church organisations, members of the civil societies and specially Forum for Naga Reconciliation, whose tireless endeavour to bring about peace had shown an end to senseless killings and fratricides.
He lamented that the demand for a separate statehood had come at a time when the Naga political issue was delicately poised. He appealed to the leaders of four eastern districts of Nagaland to reconsider their stand and join hands with the government in its endeavour to bring the fruits of all round development to the less developed areas.
He said the government had initiated proactive steps towards ensuring the success of this noble venture and will continue to do so. He further said a climate of peace and harmony was a prerequisite for sustained development and growth.
There was need to abjure violence of all kinds, need to forge mutual understanding and goodwill for all round development, he said.
He informed that the state government had sincerely followed a policy of balanced regional development and affirmative action to bring the less developed areas at par with the rest of Nagaland.
It had reserved 25 per cent government jobs exclusively for the people of four eastern districts of Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire and Longleng.