Kohima, March 4: Nagaland’s Tourism and Higher Education Minister, Temjen Imna Along, stated on Tuesday that the renowned Hornbill Festival has significantly enhanced the state’s identity, both nationally and internationally.
During the second day of the ongoing Nagaland Assembly session, while participating in the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, Along mentioned that expanding the festival to various districts has strengthened grassroots participation. It has also provided an opportunity to showcase and preserve the rich traditions, culture, and music of the Naga people.
He emphasized that this initiative has fortified the state’s cultural identity and boosted tourism. Thousands of tourists from across the country and several foreign nations attended the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival, held from December 1 to 10, 2025, at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, near Kohima.
Along also congratulated the Youth Resources and Sports Department for formulating and implementing robust policies aimed at encouraging youth to pursue sports as a professional career. He noted that such efforts are instrumental in nurturing talent, creating opportunities, and promoting the rich culture among the state’s youth.
Legislator Kuzholuzo Nienu, participating in the discussion on the motion of thanks, called for unity, constructive criticism, and collective responsibility. He congratulated the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) for signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Government of India to establish the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).
Nienu expressed hope that this agreement would foster peace, unity, and rapid development in Eastern Nagaland. On February 5, a significant step was taken towards administrative strengthening for Eastern Nagaland, with the central government, Nagaland government, and ENPO signing a tripartite agreement in New Delhi.
This agreement, signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, provides authority over 46 subjects to the six eastern districts. ENPO, representing eight recognized Naga tribes across these districts, has been advocating for a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ or a distinct state for the past 15 years.
These districts are home to seven tribes: Chang, Khyamanyun, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, and Yimkhiung, categorized as backward tribes.
Legislator Er. Jwenga, while participating in the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, praised the state government’s progress despite resource constraints. He stated that under Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s leadership, Nagaland is steadily moving towards a developed India by 2047 and a developed Nagaland by 2047.
He congratulated the people of Eastern Nagaland for signing the MoA for FNTA and urged the proposed interim council to act as a force for unity. Additionally, he appealed to the government to bridge the development gap in Central Nagaland through targeted programs for economically disadvantaged groups.
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