The Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) has urged the Commissioner, Government of Nagaland, seeking urgent administrative intervention to ban the upcoming YAA General Conference and Tsungkamnyo cum Mini Hornbill festivals scheduled from January 7–9 and on January 16, 2026, respectively, in Shamator town.

In a representation to the Commissioner Nagaland, signed by P Timong Tikhir, President, TTC and Yantsuthong, Executive Chairman, TTC, the apex tribal body expressed serious concern over repeated violations of modalities signed between the Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) and TTC on 19th January 2022 in the presence of the State Government.

The representation reminded that Shamator district was declared a ‘Brotherhood District’ by Chief Minister, Dr Neiphiu Rio, in 2022, the declaration initially welcomed by the Tikhir community. However, the Council charged that the brotherhood declaration proved otherwise with the population belonging to the Tikhir community being subjected to systematic unfair treatment and deprived of several opportunities.

Under the MoU and modalities signed by both tribes, it was agreed that holding of any public event by either tribe would not be obstructed or denied under any circumstances and with condition that neither party reserve any right to claim ownership of the land due to holding of such public/social events.

The TTC alleged that such agreement in the form of MoU has not been respected and adhered by the Yimkhiung tribe and therefore such blatant disregard for the modalities has been taken a strong notice by the Tikhir tribe.

The representation also detailed a consultative meeting convened by the Deputy Commissioner of Shamator on November 21, 2025, involving YTC, TTC, the Shamator Town Students’ Union (STSU) and Seyochung Village Students’ Union (SVSU). According to the TTC, the meeting was abruptly disrupted by Yimkhiung mobs, forcing an end to proceedings and confining Tikhir officials and SVSU representatives inside the DC’s chamber for eight hours while mobs surrounded the office, brandishing sticks and other weapons.

The Council noted with alarm that women in traditional attire performed symbolic war dances and folk songs in front of the DC office compound—acts which TTC described as “symbolic of age-old headhunting tradition”—and that exit routes were blocked, prompting intervention only after eight hours by IRB personnel from Wapher village.

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In addition to the disruption, the representation said that, despite an order issued by the office of the Deputy Commissioner on November 21 under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, Yimkhiung leaders reportedly convened a meeting at the YTC hall and issued public orders restricting movement of Tikhir citizens in town, except for students appearing for examination

TTC also stated that on November 24 at about 5:20 a.m., when 60 to 70 rounds of live ammunition were fired by Yimkhiung youths in the heart of Shamator town, an action the Council said inflicted fear and insecurity among peace-loving Tikhir residents and widened the rift between the two communities.

The Council further stated that the re-establishment of the Tikhir Baptist Church in Shamator town was forcefully halted by members of the Yimkhiung tribe, a move described as a wilful violation of the agreed position as signed in the MoU.

The TTC argued that continued non-compliance with the modalities signed between the two tribes now undermines the very fabric of peaceful coexistence intended by the MoU, and that hosting major public event undermines the very fabric of peaceful foundation laid during the signing of the MoU.

In light of these developments, the Tikhir Tribal Council has called upon the Nagaland administration to issue a ban directive and dispatch order against holding of YAA General Conference and Tsungkamnyo cum Mini Hornbill scheduled for January 7 to 9 and 16 respectively at Shamator Town.

“In the event of failure to contain the situation as a result of allowing such public/student events at Shamator town, and consequent escalation of the said issue between the two tribes, the State Government shall be held solely responsible,” the representation cautioned.