MNF observes Peace Day

AIZAWL, July 2 ? The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) party on Monday observed the 16th anniversary of the signing of peace accord between the Centre and the erstwhile underground MNF on June 30, 1986 as the ?Remna Ni? or Peace Day, reports PTI. Addressing party workers at ?Hnam Run,? the party office here, MNF chief and State Chief Minister Zoramthanga urged the people of Mizoram to jealously protect and maintain the hard-earned peace at all costs. Zoramthanga said that covert peace efforts began as early as 1971 and official peace dialogue began in New Delhi in early 1976 which resulted in the signing of the Mizo Accord in 1986. He said that peace in Mizoram has become exemplary for the insurgency-torn Northeast region resulting in the Centre?s award of ?Peace Bonus? in the form of special central assistance for building infrastructural development works. The State has received Rs 182.45 crore as one-time payment for clearing liabilities and to tide over financial crisis and not less than Rs 50 crore annually for five years for infrastructure development, he said.