
Thonoknyu, january 16 (MExN): The Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) has formally objected to the proposal to host the Khaozaosie Hok-ah cum Mini Hornbill Festival in Thonoknyu town, citing ongoing land disputes as a major concern. In a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Nagaland, the TTC highlighted that unresolved land disputes in the area make it unsuitable for an event of such scale. The council feared that hosting the festival could aggravate tensions between the Tikhir and Khiamniungan communities.
The objection follows a notice from the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) of Thonoknyu, which announced the festival's scheduling for January 2025. The TTC pointed out that previous community events, such as the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Tikhir Baptist Church's Women and Baptist Youth Endeavour department, were denied permission due to the same land issues.
The council urged authorities to consider relocating the festival to a neutral, dispute-free location. They emphasized the risks involved, including heightened tensions, lack of neutral grounds, and administrative challenges.
The TTC provided relevant documents and correspondence, including past government orders and recent notifications from the SDO (Civil).
The letter was signed by TTC President P. Timong Tikhir and General Secretary James Tikhir and was copied to various government officials, including the Home Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Noklak, for necessary action.
The TTC expressed hope that the matter would be reviewed with diligence to ensure a peaceful and inclusive celebration.