Kohima, March 3 (IANS). Nagaland Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along on Tuesday said the famous Hornbill Festival has significantly enhanced the state’s identity not only across India but also at the international level.
Participating in the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address on the second day of the ongoing session of the Nagaland Assembly, Along said that expanding the festival to different districts has strengthened people’s participation at the grassroots level, as well as provided an opportunity to preserve and showcase the rich traditions, culture and music of the Naga people.
He said that this has further strengthened the cultural identity of the state and tourism has also increased. The 26th edition of the 10-day Hornbill Festival, held from December 1 to 10, 2025, at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama near Kohima attracted thousands of tourists from across the country and several foreign countries.
Along also congratulated the Youth Resource and Sports Department for formulating and implementing strong policies aimed at encouraging youth to take up sports as a professional career.
He said that such efforts are helpful in honing talent, creating right opportunities and promoting excellent culture among the youth of the state.
Taking part in the discussion on the motion of thanks, MLA Kuzholuzo Neenu appealed for unity, constructive criticism and collective responsibility. He also congratulated the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) on signing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Government of India to create the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).
Neenu expressed hope that this agreement will lead to peace, unity and rapid development in the eastern region of Nagaland.
On February 5, in an important step towards administrative strengthening of Eastern Nagaland, the Centre, Nagaland government and ENPO signed a three-way agreement in New Delhi.
This agreement, signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, has a provision to give powers on 46 subjects to the six eastern districts.
ENPO, an apex body representing eight recognized Naga tribes in six eastern districts, has been campaigning for the last 15 years demanding a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ or a separate state comprising Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator and Tuensang districts.
Seven tribes, Chang, Khiamnyungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam and Yimkhiung, live in these districts, which are classified as backward tribes.
MLA Ar. Zwenga, while participating in the discussion on the motion of thanks on the Governor’s speech, appreciated the progress of the state government despite the paucity of resources.
He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland is continuously moving towards Developed India 2047 and Developed Nagaland 2047.
He congratulated the people of Eastern Nagaland on the signing of the MOA for FNTA and said that the proposed Interim Council should act as a force of unity. Also, he appealed to the government to bridge the development gap in Central Nagaland through targeted programs for the economically backward sections.
–IANS
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