Veteran Naga national leader and President of the Naga National Council (NNC), Gen (Retd) Thinoselie M Keyho passed away on Friday morning at the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, following a prolonged illness. He had been admitted to the hospital for several days.

Keyho, a native of Chedema Village in Kohima district, was born on May 11, 1930. An Angami Naga, he was the youngest of five sons of Manyio Medom. His elder brothers included Lhoukuolie Medom and Biseto Medom, a former Kilo Kilonser of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN).

Having spent over seven decades in the Naga national movement, Keyho was regarded as one of its longest-serving veterans. His association with the movement began on June 11, 1956, when he joined the Federal Government of Nagaland as Secretary to the Director of Intelligence, Naga Army, FGN.

According to his biographical profile, his decision to join the movement was prompted by an incident in which two deceased Naga civilians, reportedly subjected to brutal treatment, were publicly displayed at Kohima Market by Indian armed forces.

His military career saw several promotions and significant assignments. He was promoted to Brigadier in the Naga Army in 1957 and, in 1963, accompanied a contingent led by Gen. Mowu to East Pakistan, serving as Command Writer.

One of the significant milestones in his national service came on October 24, 1966, when he led the first Naga contingent of 132 Naga Army personnel towards China as military commander. The delegation also included civilian leaders, among them Th. Muivah, then General Secretary of the NNC, who served as the political leader. The contingent reached the Chinese frontier on January 27, 1967.

In 1968, Keyho was promoted to Lieutenant General of the Naga Army, FGN. During the same year, he travelled to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for further training with a group of Naga Army personnel led alongside Brigadier Neidilie Kuotsu.

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On their return journey to Nagaland, the group travelled to Dhaka for diplomatic engagements. However, following the outbreak of the Indo-Pakistan War in 1971 and the subsequent surrender of East Pakistan, Keyho and his team were handed over to the Indian Army through the Red Cross. They were taken to Delhi and detained at Tihar Jail before being transferred to Shillong Jail. Keyho was released in 1976.

Following his release, he continued to contribute to public and political affairs. He served as President of the Angami Public Organisation (APO) from 1980 to 1984 and later headed the Naga National Workers’ Conference (NNWC) from 1981 to 1990. He was unanimously elected to the latter position with the objective of promoting unity among Naga political groups.

Keyho’s political commitment remained centred on the Naga people’s aspiration for sovereignty. His biographical account records his belief in China as an important ally in pursuing this aspiration. In 2014, he led another delegation of five Naga leaders to the People’s Republic of China.

On May 11, 2016, he was unanimously elected President of the Naga National Council (NNC), Nagaland, at a general meeting held at Yorüba village in Phek district. His election followed a consensus nomination by the NNC Central Executive Council.

He continued to lead the organisation thereafter, maintaining his stated commitment to the Naga political aspiration. At the time of his passing, Keyho was serving as President of the NNC, bringing to an end a life marked by more than seven decades of involvement in the Naga national movement.

His funeral will be held at Chedema Village on October 31 at 12 noon.