It urges all students, youth leaders, well-wishers, and media fraternity to join them in paying homage to its fallen comrades whose sacrifice continues to inspire generations in its collective pursuit of justice, peace, and the rights of the Naga people
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Naga Students’ Federation will observe the 39th NSF Martyrs’ Day on March 20 at the NSF Martyrs’ Park, Kohima, starting 9 am in order to honour the supreme sacrifices of its martyrs, late Kekuojalie Sachü, and late Vikhozo Yhoshü.
It was in the month of March 20, 1986, when two students had to lose their lives due to indiscriminate firing by the Nagaland state police forces in Kohima while participating in a peaceful protest called by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) to rally against the Nagaland state government’s decision to introduce Indian Police Service (IPS) cadres, and the extension of the Disturbed Area Belt (DAB) from 5 km to 20 Kms along the Indo-Myanmar border.
The two young martyrs were late Kekuojalie Sachü of Kohima Village, and late Vikhozo Yhoshü of Kigwema Village.
The event was so tumultuous that it led three cabinet ministers and five state ministers of Nagaland to resign.
The NSF was observing a peaceful 12-hour protests against the introduction of India Police Service (IPS) in Nagaland and the extension of the 5 km Disturbed Area Belt to 20 km along the international border by the Government of India.
The incident was also off by the then chief secretary, Nagaland, I. Longkümer, knowing fully well that the NSF had called a “hartal” from 6 am to 6 pm, he was on his way to his office in a car when NSF volunteers stopped him.
Though, he was not harassed in any manner nor was his car damaged and a magistrate on duty drove him back to his official residence, but he falsely alleged that the student had manhandled him and damaged his vehicle, as a result of which 144 CrPC was imposed in TCP Gate, MLA Hostel junction and Razhü Point junction, Kohima.
Narrating on the incident, the NSF leaders then not wanting to confront the police, it negotiated with the magistrate and police officers on duty after which it arrived to an agreement that the students would move out of the 144 CrPC clamped areas and that the student’s body would be allowed to continue the “peaceful hartal”.
Not wanting to confront the police, the students’ leaders negotiated with the Magistrate and Police officers on duty. The NSF said, “They arrived of an agreement that the students will move out of the 144 CrPC imposed areas and that the students will be allowed to continue their peaceful hartal.”
It was mentioned that as the students were moving out of the MLA Hostel Junction (Phoolbari), Kohima, as directed by their leaders, the police opened fire on them without any information and warning, killing two and injuring approximately 50 others, and in the melee, Vikhozo Yhoshü (14) a student of Kohima English School ( Mezhür Higher Secondary School) ,and Kekuojalie Sachü (19), also a student of Baptist English School (Now known as Baptist High), Kohima, were shot and killed.
Following the killings of the two students, eight ministers tendered their resignation to the Nagaland chief minister who included T A Ngüllie—the then-Minister for Finance & Taxation and Land Revenue & Power, I K Sema—the then-Minister for Agriculture & Horticulture, Vizadel Sakhrie—the then-Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare, H. L. Singson—the then-Minister for Relief & Rehabilitation, Jail and Industries, Puse Zhotso—the then-Minister for Information & Public Relations, Tourism and Power, Nocklem Konyak—the then-minister for Printing & Stationery and Agriculture, Marchiba—the then-Minister for Fisheries and Public Health Engineering and Nokzenketba—the then-Minister for Soil Conservation and Art & Culture.
Funeral service of both the martyrs were attended by more 50 thousand Nagas who gathered at Kohima Local Ground which today is the venue of the Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy.
Meanwhile, NSF general secretary, Chumben Khuvung, in a separate press release has informed that it will be observing the 39th NSF Martyrs’ Day on March 20 at the NSF Martyrs’ Park, Kohima, starting 9 am in order to honour the supreme sacrifices of its martyrs, late Kekuojalie Sachü, and late Vikhozo Yhoshü.
On this solemn occasion, the NSF has extended its invitation to all students, youth leaders, well-wishers, and media fraternity to join them in paying homage to its fallen comrades whose sacrifice continues to inspire generations in its collective pursuit of justice, peace, and the rights of the Naga people.
In reverence of the occasion, the NSF called upon all its federating units and sub-ordinate bodies to fly their respective flags at half-mast as a mark of respect and further urged all schools across the Naga homeland to observe a minute silence in memory of its martyrs on the day.
Furthermore, Chumben Khuvung, also highlighted that this years’ observance also marks a significant milestone as it organizes the 25th anniversary edition of the NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy 2025, a tournament that has stood as a symbol of resilience and unity among the Naga youth in the pursuit of peace through sports.
The official trophy for this landmark edition would be unveiled and launched for touring across the Naga homeland during the event, he said.