Thousands pay final respect as Jan 31 firing victims laid to rest
Morung Express News
Kohima | February 3
The bodies of late Bendangnungsang and late Khriesavizo, who were killed in the Dimapur police firing, were laid to rest on February 3 in Kohima near the Zonal Council Hall. The funeral service was led by Rev Dr Rachülie Vihienuo, Pastor, UBC while the Minister for the service was Rev Dr Vevo Phesao, President, KBPF.
22 year old Bendangnungsang from Aonukpu village was working in Chennai and had come to spend the Christmas holidays with his family at Diphupar. “On January 31, our younger brother was selected as a volunteer for the Ao community to join the common cause of the Nagas where he fell to the bullets of the police. It is said that there can be no greater sacrifice than one who lay down his life for one’s land and the people, and we see this exemplified by our late brothers. Let not this terrible tragedy revisit our land and our people. Let this catastrophe unite us and forge for a better society void of all evils that is rampant in our land,” said Lima, speaking on behalf of the family.
Khreisavizo from Chiechama village was the eldest son of Neimhalie Metha, Co-convenor of the National Political Advisory Council, GPRN/NSCN. Khriesavizo completed his bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Jaipur and was about to pursue his Masters in Urban Planning this year. He had recently been elected as the President of Angami Students’ Union Diphupar.
Z. Metha, who spoke on behalf of Khriesavizo’s family, urged the gathering to let the incident foster the unity of Naga society. “I request all present to make this time for better understanding and to resolve the crisis which is looming in front of all us. Let us not adopt violent means anymore. Let us negotiate and let our elected members listen to the sentiments of the people,” he said.
“After a few days, the call of the Naga people came so in answer to that he went with the intention not to kill, not to indulge in violence but to express the wish and answer to the call of the public. Both of them were young, they’ve paid their lives for the greater unity of the Nagas,” he stated.
A friend of Khriesavizo meanwhile recalled that he was passionate for the Naga cause and would often express his wish for all Nagas to unite.
Vikuo Rhi, from the NBCC expressed sadness that the failure to listen one another has resulted in one of the worst situations Nagaland has faced in recent times. He also stated that the deaths of the two youth were not in vain. “They deserve a decent burial today. They are gone but let this be a new beginning in the era of Nagaland of understanding one another, loving one another,” he appealed.
AYO President Neinguvotuo Krose expressed anger over the heinous crime committed by the government and demanded that the Chief Minister and his cabinet minister to resign on moral grounds immediately. Vilhousa Seleyi, APO President stated that their lives have been taken for the society to become better. “We must remember this and we also must unite. Let’s change our hearts and pursue Naga unity.”
The coffin of Khriesavizo was carried by Ao youth and the coffin of Bendangnungsang was carried by Angami youth. During the funeral service, a group of protestors attempted to stop the ceremony demanding that the two dead bodies not be buried until the CM and his cabinets resign. Following a huge commotion, Church leaders requested that the bodies be buried for the sake of the families and for the dead souls to be laid to rest. Rev. Dr. Rachülie Vihienuo while pacifying the angry protestors stated, “Not an inch of the demands will be compromised by burying the two bodies’ and that they will continue to assert their demands until it is met.”
NTAC meets Governor
A delegation of the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee met the Nagaland Governor at Raj Bhavan today with the demand that the CM step down taking moral responsibility for the January 31 incident in Dimapur and the subsequent violence in Kohima on February 2.
The Governor, in a statement assured that he would take action as per the Constitution to punish the wrong doers. He appealed to everyone to ensure peace and tranquility and not indulge in violence.
