The Hornbill Festival 2024 has been marred by a spate of car pass thefts, creating inconvenience and frustration among attendees.
Reports of car passes being stolen from vehicles parked at the venue have raised concerns about security and parking arrangements during the festival.
The scarcity of car passes has already led to public grievances, as only officials, media, organizers and dignitaries were issued passes. Most attendees were advised to use shuttle services from Kigwema Ground or Kohima town.
One person on duty said: “Some people have become so desperate that they’re stealing car passes from vehicles parked at Kisama. These passes have become a status symbol for many.”
A victim of such theft recounted her experience, saying, “My pass, which was affixed to my car, was stolen yesterday at Kisama. Upon asking around, I learned that many others have also had their car passes taken.”
Journalists have been particularly affected by these thefts. Kohima Press Club president Alice Yhoshü, reported the issue to the organizers, urging Tourism department officials to strengthen security and parking oversight. She highlighted that the limited availability of car passes for the media compounded the problem, especially for journalists carrying heavy equipment like cameras and tripods.
“Most of us have been carpooling since day one,” Yhoshü noted, emphasizing the additional challenges posed by these thefts. Families attending the festival have also expressed difficulties, as limited car passes and reliance on shuttle services have made it challenging for those with children or elderly members to participate fully in the festivities.