'No need to hold Hornbill festival 2020' : NPF

Kohima, 23rd October 2020

The Naga People’s Front is totally shocked and lambasted the Government’s decision to celebrate the annual Hornbill festival 2020. The party is surprised to see the heartless attitude of the PDA Government to conduct the annual festival, despite knowing the fact that the Naga society is reeling under threat due to the Corona Virus pandemic hitting our state and the positive cases increasing each single day.

Each passing day, positive cases has been reportedly increasing and the State Government announcement to celebrate Hornbill Festival this year is nothing but ‘Suicidal Mission’.

Even if the celebration maybe in virtual form, a festival is a festival, and in any festival celebration, without people’s participation there cannot be any celebration. Therefore, if the Government is on the process to celebrate the festival without public participation then there is no need to hold any celebration.

When total lockdown was observed in the State, the virus did not hesitate to enter our State and penetrating us then how far it is safe to celebrate the Hornbill festival in whatever way the Government is contemplating to? Can the Government assured the Naga public that nothing will happen to any participants by the virus?

Due to the pandemic, the Government is well aware that it has curtail down many income generating activities of the public, educational institutions has been closed down, many business establishment were limited and religious places were yet to function normally and many tribal were abstain from celebrating their own festival due to the fear of virus transmission then how come the State Government take a U-turn to celebrate such event?

The State Government is well aware that, despite enforcing the SOP like, wearing masks, washing hands and maintaining social distance. The above SOP is an effective preventive measures but it is a proven story that the number of positive cases is soaring to 8000 plus and 22 person already died due to the virus in the state as per official report. Then how far can we contain the virus from community transmission by enforcing the SOP during the celebration of Hornbill?

The State Government must be well aware that positivity rate in Nagaland has surpassed the National rate, which clearly indicates that our state have higher transmission than the National rate.

We all consider Hornbill festival as a perfect opportunity to improve our tourism sector and a time to showcase our traditional heritage to the outside world, but as the situation dictates this year the influx of international and domestic tourist from different places into our state will prove catastrophic and with the increase in community transmission of the Novel Corona Virus, the celebration of Hornbill festival in the state will be a complete disaster.

And when the international sports mega event ‘Olympic’ can be cancelled due to the pandemic which is to be hosted by the one of the world most advance country, Japan then what is contemplating the Nagaland PDA Government to hold the Hornbill festival at the cost of the public life.

Therefore, the NPF party reminded the PDA Government that it is not a time to merry making and momentary pleasure but to ensure the safety of its people and change its decision for the safety of its people.

Issued by:
Press Bureau,
Naga People's Front,
Central Headquarters,
Kohima: Nagaland.