Addressing a press briefing at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat on 7th December 2021, Spokesperson for the State Government and Minister for Planning, Neiba Kronu stated that an emergency Cabinet meeting was called to discuss the firing incident in Mon district and the subsequence incident that followed in Mon town. He stated that the Cabinet was briefed on the actions taken by the government including setting up of a Special Investigation Team headed by an IGP and consisting of four other members. He stated that the Cabinet decided that the SIT should complete its investigation and submit its report by one month time. The Cabinet has also decided to write to the Government of India to immediately repeal the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 from the State, he added. He also stated that the Cabinet has decided to support the demands put forward by the Konyak Union to the President of India.

With regards to the on-going Hornbill Festival 2021, Minister Kronu stated that the Cabinet has decided to cease all activates in view of the mourning announced for the deceased in the firing incident. The Cabinet also decided to appeal to all elected representatives, Government employees and others to support entrepreneurs who have set up stalls for the Hornbill festival by actively purchasing the items sold by them. The Cabinet has directed that a simple and solemn closing ceremony should be held by the Tourism Department.

The Spokesperson stated that with regard to the firing incident, two people are still in critical condition in Dibrugarh Hospital, six other persons were admitted in CIHSR, Dimapur while 22 persons have been discharged.

(Akummeren, IA)