Robust security ecosystem put in place for 10-day Hornbill Fest: ADGP Kikon

Entry of security personnel with sophisticated weapons restricted in Kisama
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 29: Nagaland Police today asserted that a robust security ecosystem has been put in place for the entire 10-day long Hornbill Festival with special focus on the main venue at Kisama Heritage.

“We do not expect any untoward incident but not to take chances, a 3-tier security measure has been put in place”, said Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Nagaland, Renchamo P Kikon while briefing media on the security aspects and traffic logistics for the ensuing Festival at PHQ here.

He also asserted that the inter-State border and international checkpoints have been strengthened in order to check any flow of suspected drugs during the festival.

Beside the security personnel placed at strategic locations, the Department will have tourist police to assist the domestic and foreign tourists at Dimapur and Kohima, Kikon said.

The ADG also asserted that with a view to uphold the prevalent peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, uniformed personnel, including security guards in uniform with sophisticated arms would not be allowed entry to the main venue from Gate No. 2.

Security personnel for VIP and VVIPs will have to be in civvies and with concealed small arms, he said.

ADGP Sandeep Tamgadge said Hornbill Festival is the pride of the State and we get a lot of esteemed guests from outside the State and country as well and the basic idea is that they should not face any inconvenience.

“A decision has been taken and also conveyed to all VIPs and VVIPs coming with escorts that the security personnel of whosoever it is will not be allowed beyond Gate No. 2. The idea is that people coming from outside the State should not get a wrong message seeing a lot of uniformed personnel with arms”, he said.

Additional SP (Traffic), Kohima, Tshurhosie Kajiri highlighting the various traffic regulations said that with a view to ease the traffic congestion during the Festival, various changes have been made from the capital town till the venue of the Festival for the 10-days.

Marking the jubilee year of the Festival, the Government has introduced around 50-60 shuttle buses to ferry visitors to and fro the Festival venue.

He also said that goods carriers would not be allowed to enter Kohima from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the Festival. He also informed that ROW would be applied along the road leading to Kisama and also the Night Carnival area.

Defaulting vehicles would be towed away by the traffic police with charges and fine imposed on the vehicle owner, Kajiri said.

This being the silver jubilee edition and the footfall is expected to increase by leaps and bounds hence traffic will be a major problem, said ADGP Kikon.

He also said that vehicles without car passes will not be allowed entry to Kisama from Gate No. 1 at NH-2 and will be diverted to Kigwema Ground for parking while the visitors can use the shuttle buses arranged by the Government free of cost to reach the main venue of celebration.

Kikon also urged visitors and local public to follow the traffic advisors issued by Kohima district administration and police to and fro Kisama and also for the 10-day Night Carnival in Kohima Town.

(Page News Service)