1986 Killing of Kekuojalie Sachü and Vikhozo Yhoshü

Killing of Kekuojalie Sachü and Vikhozo Yhoshü
Location	Kohima, Nagaland
Date	20 March 1986
Deaths	2
Injured	50
Victims	Two students: Vikhozo Yhoshü (Student of Kohima English School now known as Mezhür Higher Secondary School) Kekuojalie Sachü (Student of Baptist English School now known as Baptist High)
Perpetrators	Nagaland Police
Motive	Protest

The 1986 Killing of Kekuojalie Sachü and Vikhozo Yhoshü refers to the incident of indiscriminate firing by Nagaland state police forces on 20 March, 1986 while they participated in a peaceful protest called by the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) to rally against the state government's decision on the introduction of Indian Police Service (IPS) cadres and the extension of the Disturbed Area Belt from 5 to 20 km along the Indo-Myanmar (Indo-Burma) border.

The event was so tumultuous that it led three Cabinet ministers and five state ministers of Nagaland to resign.

Background

The NSF was observing a peaceful 12 hour protest against the introduction of India Police Service (IPS) in Nagaland and the extension of the 5km Disturbed Area Belt to 20 km along the international border by the Government of India.

"The Incident was sparked off by the Chief Secretary of Nagaland I Longkumer knowing fully well that the Naga Student' Federation 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. 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 made hand led him and damaged, as a result of which, 144Cr PC was imposed in TCP Gate, MLA Hostel junction and Razhü Point junction."

NSF narrates on the incident.

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 144CrPC imposed areas and that the students will be allowed to continue their peaceful hartal."

Police firing

As the students were moving out of the MLA Hostel junction as directed by their leader, the Police opened fire on them without any information and warning, killing two and injuring several others. In the melee, 14 year old student of Kohima English School(Now known as Mezhür Higher Secondary School) Vikhozo Yhoshü of Kigwema Village and 19 year old student of Baptist English School Kekuojalie Sachü of Kohima Village were shot and killed.

Reactions

Following the killing, eight ministers tendered their resignation to the chief minister. They were then-Minister for Finance and Taxation. Land Revenue and Power TA Ngullie, then-Minister for Agriculture and Horticulture IK Sema and then-Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare Dr. H. Vizadel Sakhrie. The ministers for state are then-Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation. Jail and Industries HL Singson, the-minister for Information and Public Relations. Tourism and Power Puse Zhotso, then-minister for Printing and Stationary, and Agriculture Nocklem Konyak, then-Minister for Fisheries and Public Health Engineering Marchiba and then-minister for Soil Conservation and, Art and Culture Nokzenketba.

Funeral

Almost 50,000 Nagas attended the funeral service of Vikhozo Yhoshü and Kekuojalie Sachü at the Kohima Local Ground, which today is the venue of the Martyrs' Memorial Trophy.

Legacy

"On hearing about my brother being shot, our father decided to go to town with his gun but the villagers stopped him," he says. Kekuojalie didn' t survive. "That was one of the most depressing days — a day I cannot forget in my entire lifetime."

Thinuohelie Sachü, the younger brother of Kekuojalie recalls.

"I would dream about my son for nights. One day he appeared in my dreams dressed in white and I ran towards him, trying to grab him. But then he disappeared. After that I never saw him in my dreams again. They not only shot my son but smashed all his fingers with rifle butts. My heart aches every time I think or talk of him. His scars always come fresh in front of me."

Neibano Yhoshü, the mother of Vikhozo recalls.

In commemoration of the incident, the NSF Martyrs' Memorial Trophy is held annually.