NSF leaders and others during the memorial service at NSF Martyr’s Park, Kohima on March 20. (Morung Photo)
Tributes paid to 1986 martyrs
Morung Express News
Kohima | March 20
Thirty-seven years ago, on March 20, 1986, two students, namely Kekuojalie Sachü and Vikhozo Yhoshü, became victims of indiscriminate firing by armed police forces during a peaceful protest called by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF).
On this fateful day, the students were observing a peaceful protest against the introduction of the Indian Police Service in Nagaland and the extension of the 5 km Disturbed Area Belt to 20 km along the international border with Myanmar by the Government of India. During the protest, 50 people reportedly sustained injuries while Kekuojalie Sachü from Kohima Village, a student of Kohima English School (renamed Mezhür Higher Secondary School), and Vikhozo Yhoshü from Kigwema Village, a student of Baptist English School (Baptist High), were killed.
In remembrance of the lost two precious lives, marking the 37th year, the NSF organized a memorial service and laying of wreaths at NSF Martyrs’ Park, Kohima today.
Paying tribute to the martyrs, NSF president Kegwayhun Tep briefly recounted the incident where the lives of two students were laid down at the altar of democracy. “Lt Kekuojalie Sachü of Kohima Village and Lt Vikhozo Yhoshü of Kigwema Village succumbed to the indiscriminate firing upon the peaceful agitating students by the armed police forces from Alichen,” Tep said.
According to Tep, 37 years ago, the aspirations and the existence of the Naga people were cast upon the shadows of political despair and uncertainty, and the students took to the streets into that darkness of times and lost two precious lives. Nonetheless, Tep stated, “Through the martyrdom of two noble souls, our desire was renewed once again with a renewed sense of direction and purpose; our desire and the ultimate ‘goal for peace’, which is the prayer and the aspiration of the Naga people, was thus established.”
Extending solidarity to the bereaved family members, Tep described them as ‘true sons of the soil’ who have been ‘a son, a brother, and a friend’ to all, and added that the Naga youth and the upcoming generations remain indebted for their sacrifices, and shall continue to honor their sacrifices through the pages of history and from the fond memories of our hearts.
