44 years after sacrificing his life for the Naga cause, Late Vesazo Khamo, Lieutenant Colonel, NNC/ FGN-14867 was laid to rest at his home, Phüsachodu village in Phek district on Tuesday. The Federal Government of Nagaland ‘Hero Award’ and ‘President’s General Award’ winner (posthumous), another victim of fratricidal killing among Naga people, was executed on 10 December 1979 by the NSCN (Undivided NSCN), at Heimi region in Burma (Myanmar).

Late Khamo’s remains were retrieved from the Hasik jungle on 27 March 2023 and brought back to Nagaland.

The Chakhesang Public Organisation organised a hero’s homecoming for him at Phüsachodümi Village Local Ground where hundreds of people mourned and honoured him.

Early life

Late Vesazo Khamo was born in the early 1940s to Late (Mrs) Püxolo Bürü and Late (Mr.) Zünüyi Khamo of Phüsachodu village. He received his early education at the Primary School in the village later went to Government High School Pfütsero and Government High School Phek, sources informed.

Determined to be a nationalist and serve the Naga Nation from a young age, Late Khamo joined NNC/ FGN (Naga National Council, Federal Government of Nagaland) on 21 February 1969 at Pholami Village in Phek district where he was enrolled in the 14th Battalion attached to Brig Pukrove Nakro in the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, sources stated.

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Naga Army

Late Vesazo Khamo was reportedly part of the two ambushes on the Indian Army, one at RD Block Kikruma and the other at Phüyoba, both in Phek district, in August 1969.

He commanded the ambush on Indian Army at a place between Jessami and Kanjan (Nagaland-Manipur border) in August 1971 where two personnel from the Indian Army reportedly lost their lives.

Sources have also informed that as per records and narration, he was part of a 17 members team that attacked an Indian Army convoy at Shajouba under Shepoumara region, Manipur on 12 September 1971. Late Khamo injured his fifth finger in cross firing and later the Indian Army launched an operation to haunt for the man with an injured finger as the identifying mark.

In 1972, he Command a team that attacked the Indian Army at Thuvopüsü village in Phek district.

He was also said to be part of the 32 personnel team (from the Units of 13th, 14th and 15th battalion under Chakhesang region) under the command of Brig. Povezo Soho that attacked the Chinjory V.G Camp in Tangkhul region on 11 December 1973. His role in breaking open the Arms and Ammunition room and acquiring 15 rifles is said to be highly acknowledged and regarded to this day.

Mission to China

Late Khamo left for the China Mission as part of the 4th batch in 1974, after the Independence Day Celebration (14 August) at Sumi region. Since then, except for few epistles received from him in late 1970s, there was not much communication.

In one of his letters, he had asked for family photographs of his two elder brothers, sources said. He also shared his concerns to the students’ community to preserve the rich culture, traditions and history of the Naga people. In one such letter, a hand sketched route map leading to his camp (along the Tizu river to Chindwin, Myanmar) was enclosed.

In all the letters, he had signed C-in-C giving reasons to speculate that at some point of time in he may had been given the charge of Commander-in-Chief. Apart from other responsibilities and assignments he was the Officer in-charge of Arms and Ammunition branch at the Burma Camp Headquarter.

Execution

He was executed by the NSCN (Undivided NSCN) on 10 December 1979 in the Hasik jungle for refusing to change his ideology of governance from Federalism to Socialism.

W. Shapwon Heimi, in his book How Fratricidal Killing Started Among the Nagas, claimed that Late Vesazo Khamo’s last words before making the ultimate sacrifice were, “I am a man and not afraid to die for my nation, today I’ll die for going against socialism however, socialism will never overcome NNC.”

Late Khamo was posthumously awarded the Hero Award and President’s General Award by Zashei Huire, President FGN in recognition of gallantry in battles, dutiful in undertaking of assignments, adhesion to the Naga Army discipline and in devotion to his career of choice to serve the nation, on 14 August 1983. This award was signed, on 14 August 1983.