Following the directives declared jointly by the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) and Eastern Naga Women Organisation (ENWO) on Tuesday, the federating unions of both the organisations have reiterated the same to the members of their tribes.

ENSF and ENWO today declared that they will be standing by the resolution of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation to refrain from participating at the Hornbill Festival 2022.

United Sangtam Students Conference (USSC)

USSC said that it firmly resolves to stand with the resolution adopted by the ENPO-CEC meeting on 14 October 2022 at Tuensang.

It also said that Village Guards (VG) can take part in the Statehood Day celebration at Kohima but the use of Sangtam traditional and cultural attires is “strictly prohibited”.

The conference further said it has “totally banned any individual/group/society from displaying its traditional attires/items in any form during the Hornbill festival 2022. In the event of failing to adhere to its directive, the conference shall strictly deal with serious consequences.

Phom Students’ Conference (PSC) and Phomla Hoichem

A release from PSC and Phomla Hoichem said that the joint forum “resolved for strict compliance in line with the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) Central Executive Council (CEC) Resolution dated the 16th of Nov, 2022.”

Further, it directed that no Phom Citizen shall participate in the upcoming State Hornbill Festival and that no Phom traditional attires and ornaments shall be displayed or used by any individual or group in any manner.

The organisations also directed all its federating units and sub-ordinate units to implement the directives effectively, warning those who fail to comply.

Nokhu Range Students’ Union (NRSU)

NRSU in a letter addressed to the Post Commander of Nokhu Village Guard, Noklak, said that the Village Guards (VG) may participate at the Statehood Day Celebration at Kohima on 1 December in their official uniform. It added that the VGs “are not allowed to use the Nokhu Pacpung Traditional Dress specially for the said Statehood celebration”.

The union also said, “… to remind you that, during your absence in the village, any situation may arise shall be your own responsibility that you failed to guard the village and that would be another history to be written in our hearts for generations.”

“Non adherence will result to confrontations in any manner and shall be considered defemination of the ongoing general cause of the Tribe”, it warned the VGs.

Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC)

KTC in its release stated that it is steadfast in its resolution not to participate at the Hornbill Festival, standing by ENPO.

The Council ordered that “Khiamniungan Village(s) or Khiamniungan Based Organization shall not participate in the forthcoming Hornbill Festival 2022” and that “Khiamniungan Traditional Attires, Ornaments or materials shall not be used/display in any forms by any identity.”

Moreover, it directed that “Business establishments, food stalls, any type of screenings, displays related to Khiamniungan tribe is totally banned.”

KTC also asked all Village Councils and Tribal Bodies (KTC Units Tuensang, Kohima, Chümoukedima and Dimapur) “to effectively implement the resolved resolutions.”