Hornbill Festival forcibly celebrated on our land: Tungjoy VA Council
Source: The Sangai Express / The Hornbill Express
Senapati, December 10 2018:
The Tungjoy villagers of Senapati District has expressed their discontentment over the forceful celebration of the recently concluded Hornbill Festival of Nagaland in their land.
In a press statement issued by the Tungjoy Village Authority Council, it stated that part of the festival was organized at the land, "ANYOTHRO" which the villagers have claimed that it is their land which is situated in between Khezhakeno village under Phek district, Nagaland and Tungjoy Village, Senapati district, Manipur.
While appreciating the celebration of Hornbill festival which was organized by the State Tourism, Art & Culture Department, Govt of Nagaland, the Village Authority Council of Tungjoy stated that it is so amusing to go through the concept note of the Hornbill festival which is being organized to unite the different tribes of the North East India which aimed at uniting the groups which have been bogged down by inter-tribal conflicts and violence in the past, to uphold and sustain the distinct identity of dialects, customs and traditions of all ethnic tribes of the state, to revive and protect the rich culture of the state and also to display its spectacular traditions.
The villagers are thrilled to discover that Hornbill Festival is celebrated every year by the people of the state, behind these beautiful ideals, attracting hosts of local as well as foreign tourists.
However, the Village Council of Tungjoy village under Senapati district expressed their disapproval and stated that various activities including boating, hiking, angling, go cart, local stall, country ride, jungle ride and stay in hut which were conducted as part of the festival this year were forcibly organized and celebrated at the tourist destination at "ANYOTHRO" which the villagers claimed to be in the jurisdiction of Tungjoy villagers.
In their statement, they stated that the aforementioned land was never a disputed territory and the villagers used to reap potatos, cabbage and paddy fields in the past without any disturbance.
The Village Authority Council mentioned that even both the Deputy Commissioner of Phek district, Nagaland and Deputy Commissioner of North District, Manipur had earlier signed an agreement not to disturb the villagers.
The Tungjoy Village Authority Council further stated that they seriously questioned the wisdom and rationale of the Govt of Nagaland behind organizing the mega event at the area without the knowledge and consent of the villagers.
The Tungjoy Village Authority Council consider the move will belittle the beauty of the festival which could deepen the divide that already existed between the Tungjoy villagers and Khezhakeno villagers which could lead to unwanted situation and escalation of tension in the area.