The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) organized a candlelight vigil at NSF Park, Kohima on Thursday evening in memory of late Chinaoshang Shokwungnao of Tushar Village and late Yaruingam Vashum of Kharasom Village, who lost their lives following an attack at TM-Kasom village along NH-202 on April 18, 2026.
Delivering the solidarity message, NSF President, Mteisuding Heraang said that the gathering was not merely to mourn but to stand united in collective resolve. He said the vigil served both as an expression of grief for the innocent lives lost and as a declaration that the Naga people would remain united in the face of injustice. He added that the pain of the bereaved families is shared by the entire Naga nation, and their loss underscores a shared destiny marked by both sorrow and strength.
He further stated that the Naga political struggle is rooted in history, identity, and the aspiration for dignity. Emphasizing that the struggle predates India’s independence, he noted that it is not confined within artificial boundaries and is aimed at preserving the identity, land and inherent rights of the Naga people.
Referring to the current situation, he said the incidents being witnessed are not isolated but part of a systematic and calculated pattern of aggression. He pointed out that repeated acts of violence, arson, intimidation, assaults, and coordinated attacks indicate a broader design to instill fear and destabilize the Naga people and their homeland, adding that these are deliberate attempts to undermine their security and existence.
He called for justice, accountability, and immediate protection for the people, expressing concern over the silence and inaction of authorities. He warned that failure to bring perpetrators to justice would only perpetuate violence and embolden offenders, asserting that justice must be swift, impartial, and visible.
He also reiterated that while the Naga people have always upheld peace, it cannot exist without respect and security. Reaffirming their commitment to peaceful coexistence, he stressed that true peace requires mutual respect, recognition of rights, and an end to all forms of aggression.
He cautioned that the patience of the Naga people should not be mistaken for weakness, noting that restraint has been exercised over decades in the hope of justice and peaceful resolution. However, he maintained that such restraint should not be misconstrued as submission, adding that the people remain firm in defending their land, rights, and dignity.
ENSF President, Nuheymong Yim, in his solidarity message, expressed appreciation to the NSF for organizing the programme in honour of those who lost their lives. He stated that such acts were attempts to divert attention from the pursuit of a just and unified Naga society. He conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and said the sacrifices of the deceased would be remembered in the history of the Naga struggle.
He further emphasized that while paying respect to the departed, it is important to remember that vengeance has no place in the pursuit of unity. He urged that justice be sought with a clear conscience, grounded in truth and faith, without harbouring vengeance. He also condemned the perpetrators, stating that such acts are inexcusable and would have lasting consequences. He added that such incidents undermine the collective pursuit of justice, peace, and resolution.
Vishii Rita Krocha also recited a poem titled “How long must we wait for peace?” during the programme.
The NSF further submitted a memorandum to Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, President of the United Nations Human Rights Council, urging urgent attention to ongoing human rights violations. The Federation called on concerned authorities to ensure accountability and justice, safeguard indigenous Naga rights, and support mechanisms for peaceful and just conflict resolution.
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In the memorandum, the NSF stated that it represents the collective voice of Naga youth and highlighted the grave, systematic, and escalating human rights violations against the Naga people. It cited the April 18, 2026 ambush at TM-Kasom village along NH-202 in Ukhrul district, Manipur, where the two victims were killed, describing it as a cold-blooded act carried out by armed Kuki militants and part of a sustained pattern of aggression against Naga communities.
The memorandum also noted that, on the occasion of the candlelight vigil held on April 23, 2026, at NSF Oking, Kohima, and in solidarity with resolutions adopted by Naga civil bodies, the Federation presented before the international community an account of the historical, political, and present realities faced by the Naga people.
It further highlighted the historical foundation of the Naga political movement and the recent escalation of systematic aggression by Kuki militants and armed groups. The memorandum concluded by stating that while the Naga people have consistently shown resilience and commitment to peace, peace cannot be sustained without justice, and dignity cannot survive under constant threat.
It added that the deaths of Late Chinaoshang Shokwungnao and Late Yaruingam Vashum should serve as a wake-up call to the international community, noting that their killing reflects a broader crisis faced by the Naga people. As the community gathered in remembrance, the Federation reaffirmed its commitment to justice and dignity for all indigenous peoples and called on the international community to stand in solidarity with the Naga people.
Francis P Kiewhuo, Catechist of St. Francis de Sales Church, Kohima Town, delivered the invocation. The programme concluded with the paying of tributes.
