State Govt calls off Hornbill Festival 2021 in solidarity with Nagaland firing victims
The funeral service in honour of the civilians killed by the security forces at Oting, Mon district, was held at Helipad Ground, Mon on Monday.
Kohima: The Nagaland state government, during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, has decided to call off the remaining days of the ongoing Hornbill festival to express solidarity with the Konyaks and “to hold a spirit of oneness with them as they mourn”.
Nagaland Gaonburah Federation (NGBF) has appealed state government to stop the ongoing Hornbill Festival immediately in solidarity with Naga victims who were brutally killed by the security forces. The Federation said being a representative of grassroots people mourned the massacre of the civilians. The NGBF said the state must expose those conspirators behind the incident and the abrupt closing down of the hornbill festival will be a good sign of unity.
The funeral service in honour of the civilians killed by the security forces at Oting, Mon district, was held at Helipad Ground, Mon on Monday. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Dy. CM Y. Patton, Ministers - Metsubo Jamir, Neiba Kronu and Pangyu Phom, T.R. Zeliang and all the Konyak Legislators were among the thousands who attended the service.
Civilians of Oting village under Mon district in Nagaland were reportedly killed by the security forces on Saturday. Union minister Amit Shah said a Special Investigation Team appointed by the state will probe the matter. Three vehicles of the security forces were torched by the villagers in retaliation. One soldier died and some others suffered severe injuries in the incident, as per security forces.
"The unfortunate incident leading to the killing of civilians at Oting, Mon is highly condemnable. High-level SIT will investigate and justice delivered as per the law of the land. Appeal for peace from all sections," tweeted Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio.
