Nagaland Killings: Eight Tribes Decide To Withdraw From Hornbill Festival

Kohima: In a bid to protest against the incident which occurred on Sunday in Nagaland's Mon district, at least eight tribes in the state have decided to withdraw from the annual Hornbill Festival.

Reportedly, the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), which represents six tribes, has decided to abstain from the festival against bloodshed in its area.

The organisation has requested all the 6 tribes under the outfit to abstain from participation in the festival with immediate effect.

Condemning the killings of the innocent civilians by security forces, Tribes such as Lotha Hoho and Sumi Hoho have decided not to participate in the ongoing Festival till further notice.

Tension escalated in Nagaland on Sunday after Armed forces personnel allegedly killed 13 civilians in Tiru village of Mon district.

As per reports, the security forces are believed to have mistaken the victims as members of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) and ambushed them.

After this, the situation is tense in the district following which the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has appealed to the people to maintain peace.

Reportedly, after the incident, local people came out of the houses and started protesting claiming that those who are killed in the incident were innocent. According to locals, they were on their way back home from a nearby coal mine.

Also read:Nagaland: 11 People Killed In Firing By Security Forces, CM Orders SIT Probe

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