Rohingya News Agency - (Xinhua) -- Myanmar President U Thein Sein Monday called on the people of riot-hit western Rakhine state to join hands with the central government in development efforts of the region.

In his message on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Rakhine State Day, U Thein Sein said the violence, that broke out between the two communities in the state, has remained stable, stressing the imperativeness to work with the government for the all-round development.

"All national races coming together to turn Myanmar into a peaceful, modern and prosperous democracy, are a matter of utmost importance," he said.

Rakhine was designated as a state under the 1974 state constitution.

In June 2012, there broke out a sectarian riot in the Rakhine state.

As the curfew was lifted on Sept. 11 this year, situation was marked as returning to normalcy.