The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) and Eastern Nagaland Women Organization (ENWO) has directed all its federating units to “strongly” stand by the resolution to abstain from the Hornbill Festival, which is to be held in Kisama from 1–10 December.

The resolution of non-participation in any Central and State election processes and in the Hornbill Festival from 2022 onwards, unless the demand for a separate statehood is granted by the Government of India, was adopted at the ENPO-CEC meeting held at Tuensang on 14 October 2022 and was reaffirmed at the Mon ENPO-CEC on 16 November.

In the statement, the ENSF and ENWO said the instructions were being issued in consultation with all the former ENSF officials, all the former ENSF presidents, ENSF advisors and senior ENSF advisors.

The two organisations further stated that there was no objection to the Village Guards’ (VG) participation in the Statehood Day Celebration on 1 December 2022 in Kohima as they have to carry out their official duties as employees of the Government of Nagaland.

However, the VGs have been directed to only wear their official uniforms and not “Traditional Cultural attire as demanded.”

“The VG personnel are directed not to display any Cultural items of the 7 tribes of Eastern Nagas, presentation of cultural songs and dances and use of Morungs allotted to the seven tribes of Eastern Nagas at Kisama as it is totally prohibited as per ENPO-CEC resolution,” the statement said.

Further, the ENSF and ENWO instructed that no individual, group or organisation and government agencies “should display any cultural items belonging to seven tribes of Eastern Nagaland during the entire Hornbill Festival under any circumstances”.

The two organisations warned of “stringent action against the defaulters”.

The Federating units of the ENSF and ENWO are Chang Wedoshi Setshang (CWS), Khiamniungan Students’ Union (KSU), Konyak Students Union (KSU), Phom Students’ Conference (PSC), Tikhir Students’ Union (TSU), United Sangtam Students Conference (USCC), Yimkhiung Akherü Arihako (YAA), Changsao Thangjam Setshang (CTS), Phomla Hoichem (PH), Tikhir Women Association (TWA), Akchta Sangtamlarü Thsingmujang (AST), Yimkhiung Women Organization (YWO), Khiamniungan Menyiu Hoikam (KMH) and Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK).

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