KOHIMA, OCT 4 (MExN): This nondescript capital town of Kohima was today wrapped in an air of almost utter chaos as a protest rally and a public funeral service were carried out at the MLA junction and TCP Gate in series.
The protest rally called by Zeliangrong Union Kohima saw wave after wave of students and public shout slogans, holding placards at MLA Junction to express resentment over the highhandedness of 11th IRB personnel who shot Lumtiplung Kamei, a Class-X student on September 28. The protestors also questioned the silence of the state government over the incident.
And nearby, another solemn and emotionally charged funeral service was held at TCP gate for Lt Hovizol Puyo who was killed on Tuesday night by unidentified gunmen at BOC. For nearly four hours, downtown of the state’s capital came to a standstill as students and people from all walks of life thronged the two venues, starting from 9:30 am.
Dark clouds loomed large over the sky of Kohima as the mortal remains of Lt Hovizol Puyo was brought to the traffic point at TCP Gate, and people began to pour out their emotion, painting the similar tearful aura of Lower Chandmari, where a public funeral service of Lt Shimmei Shinaisui was held on Tuesday. Shimmei was also a victim of ‘unidentified gunmen’.
While the mysterious killers might be playing ghost amongst the crowd, and the state government continues to witness the killings agape, helpless as usual, individuals and organizations today joined the funeral to register their resentment against the killing of innocent people.
The Angami Public Organization (APO) said that it has resolved to totally dissociate itself from any group that is perpetrating the ungodly activities. “APO have resolved not to stand by those who kill innocent people”, said its President Mhasizokho Linyu, while adding that killing of lt Hovizol Puyo would not be tolerated.
The Angami Youth Organization also took strong exception to the killing of lt Hovizol Puyo and reminded that the organization is capable of committing tit-for-tat if the killers want. Angami Students’ Union, Angami Women Organization, Southern Angami Public Organization, Viswema Village Council, Viswema Kewhira Kebako Krotho, Nagaland Police Telecom Organization and several others condemned the killing.
IGP (Wireless) P Kikon said that the killing of lt Hovizol Puyo came as great shock for the department. Stating that Hovizol was a sincere and dedicated policeman, Kikon said that the death of Lt Hovizol is great loss for the department as it would be difficult to find a technical expert such as the deceased.
He also said that the department would continue to uphold good examples shown by Lt Hovizol in all the departmental activities.
Police said investigations may take some time, but assured law would take it own course of action. Police have also assured ex-gratia and other payments, due to the deceased from the department. Later after the service, the body of Lt Hovizol was taken to his native village, Viswema for burial.
Meanwhile, police and sources from security forces disclosed that armed cadres of the different groups have already been positioned in almost all localities of Kohima town and has been gearing up for the ultimate show down.
Although, heavy frisking has been conducted by the IRB and police at night in the town and the state government often claimed to have adopted adequate security measures, killings and law and order problem appears to be rising in the state capital. When silently the Kohima town seems to be tense, every concerned citizens have also started raising queries as to how many deaths would it take to justify the cause of the ‘unidentified killers’, and still how many voice would it take to silent sound of gun.
