Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has clarified that the move to shift rock music events during Hornbill Festival out of Kohima to Agri-Expo, Dimapur was primarily on account of the desire and wishes of other districts to be a part of the festival, while also intending to give tourists an opportunity to explore other districts of Nagaland.
CMO on Sunday said its attention was drawn towards a press statement issued by its Media Cell on October 30 post a review meeting for Hornbill Festival at State Banquet Hall.
The press statement in the second paragraph had stated that “the popular Music Rock Events may be shifted to Agri-Expo, Dimapur considering the flagrant traffic problems and security related matters in the State Capital during such events”. It was published in local dailies, besides some regional and national media.
The CMO statement on Sunday admitted that while traffic was always a challenge for such big events in the State Capital, but it was well managed by police with active support and cooperation of the Kohima residents.
The State government was grateful to all citizens, youth bodies, NGOs, particularly APO, AMK, ASU, AYO, KVC and KVYO, for helping organize the Hornbill Festival since the last 17 years, the statement added.
CMO clarified that the reason to shift the event was primarily due to the desire and wishes of other districts to be a part of Hornbill Festival, while also intending to give tourists an opportunity to explore other districts.
“As such, the Government is planning to organize the event in Dimapur this year and likewise it may go to other districts on rotation basis from next year,” it stated.
CMO, however, added that all other events of Hornbill Festival will be held at Kohima and agencies concerned were taking all possible steps to make it a grand success. It also appealed to all concerned to extend their cooperation in ensuring that everyone got an opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland during the festival.
The office also regretted if any inconveniences were caused to any organisation or individual by the content of the previous press statement. “It was never intended to tag the State capital as unsafe or to demean or ignore the sacrifices of any Organisation/Individual, but was rather an attempt to enlighten the general public about the measure taken up by the State Government and its plan to shift the Rock Contest events to Dimapur,” CMO added.