Mokokchung, November 25 (MTNews): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has called upon the leaders and people of Eastern Nagaland to reconsider their decision to boycott the Hornbill Festival 2022 and come forward to join the rest of the State in celebrating the festival in unity and brotherhood.
The NDPP in its consultative meeting held today at its Head Office in Chumoukedima deliberated upon issues relating to the present stand of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organizations (ENPO) to boycott the Hornbill Festival of 2022 and resolved to appeal “our Eastern brethren” to reconsider their decision so that the Hornbill Festival can be held with the active participation of all the tribes of Nagaland, in unity and oneness.
At the meeting, the party noted that the State government under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister has already agreed and decided to address the grievances raised by the ENPO. “Let us also remember that the Hornbill Festival is observed and celebrated in commemoration of our Statehood. One year ago, after the Oting tragedy the State and the people have shown oneness by standing in solidarity and today, the NDPP calls upon each one of us to continue showing that oneness once again,” it appealed.
The NDPP said that the very essence of the Hornbill Festival is to portray the unity in diversity of the people of Nagaland which needs the active participation and support of the people of the State, covering all corners and tribes that make Nagaland. “More so, at a juncture when the people are expectantly awaiting a final settlement to the Indo-Naga political issue, it becomes very important that the world sees the oneness and unity of all the stakeholders, especially at an important State occasion such as the internationally renowned Hornbill Festival, the ‘Festival of Festivals’,” it said.
The NDPP said that the Hornbill Festival, along with promoting the Naga way of life and showcasing their rich cultural heritage to the global community, has also now become a national as well as an international platform to promote and explore Naga entrepreneurs, human resources and their products.
“It has nothing to do with politics and efforts should be made to let the event continue in this manner even in the future. Opportunities of the festival should be maximized for all Naga youth for their own growth and progress,” it said.
As such, the NDPP appealed to the people of the state, especially the ENPO brethren, that “such an opportunity should not be denied to our young denizens and upcoming entrepreneurs; rather, the active participation of our youth from all over the state must be encouraged in-order to avail the benefits and advantages the festival has to offer and once again make this a peoples festival.”
‘Granting Statehood lies with the Government of India’
Meanwhile, the NDPP stated that the issue of granting Statehood lies with the Government of India and not with the Government of Nagaland or with the citizens of Nagaland. It also said that the Government of Nagaland has already submitted its recommendation of granting “Autonomous Region” to the ENPO area to the Government of India. “Anything beyond this is outside the domain of the State Government. In-fact, the Government of Nagaland has never objected to the demand of a separate state of the ENPO people and the NDPP also stands in support of this demand,” it added.
Further, the NDPP requested the State Government to implement all the necessary decisions taken under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister in addressing the grievances raised by the ENPO and ensure that this edition of the Hornbill Festival is organized and celebrated with the participation of every citizen of the State representing all the vibrant tribes of Nagaland.
At the same time, the NDPP also called upon “our Eastern brethren” to reconsider their decision and “join the rest of the State in celebrating the Festival of festivals and show the world our unity in brotherhood, solidarity and as one people when it is officially announced at the Hornbill Festival 2022, that India shall preside and chair the G20.”