1986 Killing of Kekuojalie Sachü and Vikhozo Yhoshü


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 to rally against the state government's decision on the introduction of Indian Police Service cadres and the extension of the Disturbed Area Belt from 5 to 20 km along the Indo-Myanmar 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 in Nagaland and the extension of the 5km Disturbed Area Belt to 20 km along the international border by the Government of India.
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 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

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