Nagaland Govt Calls Off Hornbill Festival Over Civilians Killing, Demands Repeal of AFSPA

The cabinet of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday called off the ongoing Hornbill Festival in protest against the killing of 14 civilians by security forces, state ministers said. The 10-day Hornbill Festival, the state’s largest tourism extravaganza held at Naga Heritage Village in Kisama near the state capital, was scheduled to end on December 10. During an emergency meeting, the cabinet was briefed about the action taken following the killing, including setting up of a Special Investigation Team headed by an IGP rank officer and grant of ex-gratia to the next of kin of the deceased by the state and central governments, ministers Neiba Kronu and Temjen Imna Along later told reporters. "All activities of Hornbill Festival 2021 should cease in view of mourning announced for the deceased in the firing incidents in Mon district," Kronu said.