The Rising People Party (RPP) has raised objections to the Office Memorandum sent out by the Home Department of Nagaland, terming it as “a complete insult to the sentiments of the eastern Nagaland People.”

In a press release titled ‘NDPP-BJP Coalition should stop their bullying tactics’ that was issued on 29 November, the RPP questioned the state government as to why they were issuing a notification “forcing the Village Guards (VGs) from eastern Nagaland to participate in the festival donning traditional attires”.

The Office Memorandum in question – NO.POL.B/VG/GEN-1/07/2021 dated 28th of November 2022 – issued by the Home Department directs the Commissioner of Nagaland to make “immediate arrangements for deputing the Village Guards (VGs) in their traditional attire numbering about 20 (twenty) personnel for each tribe, representing Konyak, Chang, Sangtam, Phom, Khiamniungan, Yimkhiung and Tikhir” so that the VGs can participate in the “State level function for Celebration of Statehood Day, 2022 at Kohima on 1^st December 2022 and also in Naga Heritage Village Kohima for the visit of the Hon’ble Vice-President of India and other dignitaries.”

The Party raised its suspicion that the government’s notification should summon “only the VGs from eastern Nagaland” to participate in the festival despite there being VGs in Phek district as well.

Asserting that the ENPO’s stand on not participating in the Hornbill Festival is “their prerogative” and “should be respected”, the RPP stated: “There’s a genuine grievance for which the ENPO is unwilling to participate in the Hornbill festival.”

The Party further claimed that the NDPP-BJP government through its “bullying tactics” is working to create “disunity among the eastern brothers through manipulative means.” This, it added, would only lead to “more disunity for which the Rio-led government cannot escape responsibility.”

The RPP also stated that the grievances of the eastern Nagas, for which Frontier Nagaland is being demanded, are “genuine” and that the Party “fully supports the reasons for their grievances.”

It concluded the press statement by stating: “During the party’s 34-day walkathon around Nagaland the RPP observed that eastern Nagaland is indeed poorly developed, and as such the grievances of eastern Nagaland cannot be brushed under the carpet.”