Measures suggested by church for upcoming Mini Hornbill festival: No alcohol, fire crackers, late night events or betting/gambling
DIMAPUR, JULY 27 (MExN): While not condoning the Mini Hornbill festival organized by the State Government in Mokokchung coinciding with the premier Ao festival Tsungremong from August 1-3, the Ao Baptist Church Conference (ABAM) and Mokokchung Town Ao Baptist Churches at Mokokchung (MTABCM) on Friday said the celebratory festival should not degenerate into an occasion for profligacy, wanton revelry and occurrence of criminal incidents at Mokokchung or during the festival.
In a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, ABAM Executive Secretary, Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger and MTABCM chairman Puryapang suggested some measures to be followed for the conduct of what it termed as a “very meaningful, successful, wholesome and beautiful festival.”
For one, it stated that use, supply or consumption of all forms of alcoholic drinks and intoxicating substances should be completely banned within the premises of the festival venues, wherever they take place.
Explosives like fire-crackers in the town should be completely banned during the festival, showing due respect to the need for peace and tranquility on the part of the elderly, the sick, the tourists and other quiet loving citizens of the town.
It also urged the DC to interact with the festival organizers to ensure that all night long events or programmes running into the wee hours are not organized. “We would appreciate if the programmes are organized in such manner that both the people as well as the participants can be back home latest by 9 pm,” the letter stated.
While emphasizing the need on the part of the government not to indulge in extravagant or avoidable spending in the conduct of the festival, it requested the DC to issue appropriate order not to allow any form of gambling or betting games as part of the festival celebration in or outside of the festival venues.
Further, in order to prevent the possibility of crime indents especially assaults on women, tourists street brawl etc. and to show due civility to those who come from outside, it suggested that the DC enlist the confidence and co-operation of the town sector committees and also enhance people-friendly policing in the entire town during the festival.
