The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has appealed to the leaders and people of Eastern Nagaland to reconsider their decision to boycott the Hornbill Festival and join the rest of the State in celebrating in unity and brotherhood.

The party held a consultative meeting on 25 November, at its Head Office in Chümoukedima, to discuss the issue of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization’s (ENPO) boycott of the festival.

The NDPP said while it respects the sentiments of the organisation, the very essence of the Hornbill Festival is “the unity in diversity of the people of Nagaland which needs the active participation and support of the people of the State”.

“At a juncture when the people are expectantly awaiting a final settlement to the Indo-Naga political issue, it becomes very important for Nagas to show the world 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,’” the party added.

The ruling party brought up last year’s festival which was cancelled halfway in solidarity with the people of Oting. The NDPP called the people to continue showing oneness by standing in solidarity.

“The Hornbill Festival, along with promoting the Naga way of life and showcasing its rich cultural heritage to the global community, has now become a national and international platform to promote and explore our entrepreneurs, our human resources and our products,” the party stated.

Opportunities of the festival should be maximized for all Naga youth for their own growth and progress and has nothing to do with politics, the NDPP tried to reason. “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 people’s festival,” it added.

Furthermore, the party said that the power to grant statehood does not lie with the Government of Nagaland (GoN). It said the GoN has never objected to the demand of a separate state of the Eastern Nagas and had already submitted its recommendation of granting Autonomous Region to the ENPO area to the Government of India.

The NDPP party appealed the state government to implement all the necessary decisions taken under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in addressing the grievances raised by the ENPO and to ensure that “all the vibrant tribes of Nagaland” participate in this year’s Hornbill Festival.

It also appealed to the Eastern Nagas to “reconsider their decision” and stand with the rest of the State in “brotherhood, solidarity and as one people” when India’s presidency of G20 is officially announced at the Hornbill Festival 2022.