Sonia appeals for peace for fast development in Nagaland

Dimapur, Mar 01 (UNI) AICC President Sonia Gandhi today appealed to the people of Nagaland to create a peaceful atmosphere for fast development.

Addressing an election rally at the Dimapur District Sports Complex (DDSC) ground here this afternoon, Ms Gandhi said the people of Nagaland have suffered a lot because of the 'misrule' of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government and now want a peaceful atmosphere for their all round development.

She observed that the younger generation of the state was misled by certain forces and appealed to the youths to come back to the mainstream and lend their hands to the Congress for the development of the state.

The UPA Chairperson claimed that it was the Congress which brought independence to the country, and it was this party which gave statehood to Nagaland. ''This is the only secular party which can provide justice to all sections of the society,'' she asserted .

She said the UPA government in the Centre has been paying full attention to the North east and adequate funds have been provided for the region's development. But the DAN Government in Nagaland, has failed to utilise the same, she alleged.

She stated that the UPA Government had sanctioned Rs fifty crore for development of roads in the North East as well as laying of railway line between Dimapur and Zubza.

Three Information Technology Centres have already been opened in the state,she added.

Speaking about the General Budget, she described it as a 'historic one' where the North East will get Rs sixty crores for various developmental projects.

Earlier, AICC General Secretary Margaret Alva and Congress Legislature Party leader I Imkong also addressed the crowd.

UNI AS KK AKJ RAI1830