The Government of Nagaland has appealed to the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) and the tribes of the districts of Eastern Nagaland to participate in the Hornbill Festival 2022 that is set to begin on 1 December.

A message of appeal was issued by Chef Secretary J Alam, IAS, dated 20 November, following a meeting held by the State Cabinet on Monday at Naga Heritage Village Kisama. The appeal was addressed to the ENPO and shared with the media.

The message states that the “grievances raised by the ENPO and tribal Hohos of the respective tribes” regarding the participation of cultural troupes in the Hornbill Festival have been taken note of by the State Cabinet and that the Government has addressed those issues “by providing necessary additional facilities”.

The message also states the Cabinet has taken note that an appointment for 3 December has already by given by the Union Home Minister to meet the ENPO delegation in Delhi.

“With regard to the demand for a separate State, the Cabinet was of the view that whenever the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Session is convened, the Hon’ble MLAs of ENLU, if and when they desire to discuss it, may move accordingly and the same shall be deliberated threadbare,” read the message of appeal.

The message concluded by stating that the Cabinet “after detailed deliberations” have decided to appeal to the ENPO and the tribes of the districts of Eastern Nagaland to participate in the Hornbill Festival and allow “their cultural troupes to join the festival and also to run the various Morungs.”