Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCT 31 (NPN): Veteran Naga national leader and president of the Naga National Council (NNC), late Gen. (Retd.) Thinoselie Medom Keyho, was laid to rest at his native village Chedema on Saturday, following a funeral service at Rüvetsiezou.
Leaders of various Naga organisations, family members, village representatives, friends and well-wishers gathered to pay their last respects to the veteran leader, who dedicated nearly seven decades of his life to the Naga political movement.
NNC central executive member Zapuvisie Lhousa recalled that his friendship with Keyho began when they became classmates in Class VI in Kohima in 1950. Although they studied together for only a year, they developed a close bond. Keyho later went to Shillong for further studies, where he also learnt typing.
Lhousa said Keyho joined the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) in 1956 amid political turmoil in Kohima and endured considerable hardships, including imprisonment on several occasions, for the Naga cause. He said Keyho had sacrificed sleep and personal comfort in his lifelong commitment to the movement.
Recalling Keyho’s final message, Lhousa said he had expressed the wish that they should never abandon the NNC and that the people should be informed of his message.
NNC central executive member Sanguto Chase said Keyho had devoted his life to the Nagas without seeking personal or family benefits. He recalled that Keyho had led Naga Army expeditions to neighbouring countries and remained steadfast despite imprisonment and other hardships.
Recalling an expedition to China, Chase said 47 members of the entourage had died during the return journey, some in armed encounters and others due to hunger, drowning and sickness. He also acknowledged the sacrifices of Keyho’s wife and children, whose support had enabled him to continue his commitment to the Naga cause. Chase urged the people to draw inspiration from Keyho’s example and remain united.
NNC (HQ) vice president Zapu-o Zhasa, who became acquainted with Keyho in 1966 and accompanied him on the China expedition, described him as a tireless worker who firmly believed that the distinct political rights of the Nagas should never be surrendered. He termed Keyho’s demise a great loss to the Naga people.
Angami Public Organisation (APO) president Thejao Vihienuo described Keyho as a leader defined by sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the Naga national movement. Recalling his encounter with Keyho and General Mowu at Maulai Jail in January 1976, Vihienuo said the experience had left a lasting impression on him.
He recalled Keyho’s contribution to strengthening the APO, which he led as president from 1980 to 1984, and said he had advocated forgiveness and unity among Naga civil society organisations and political groups while remaining committed to NNC principles.
Vihienuo also highlighted Keyho’s efforts to promote goodwill between the Ao and Sumi communities and recalled his intervention during the Nagaland-Assam conflict at Merapani, when he led an APO team to the affected area. He said Keyho had shown patience during disagreements, courage in difficult circumstances and wisdom in considering the future of the Nagas. He stressed that political differences should not erase history or deny the sacrifices of leaders.
Chedema Village Council chairman Khriekedolie Thevo described Keyho as a father figure and one of the tallest leaders of the Naga people, saying his absence would be difficult to fill.
Family member Teisovilie Medom described him as the kindest person in the family and said he had chosen the Naga cause over a peaceful personal life. He also said 16 members of the Medom Keyho family lineage had served as national workers, with Keyho making the most significant contribution.
Chedema Gazetted Officers Krotho president Vikehielie Pienyü said Keyho had consistently worked for the social and economic welfare of the village.
Keyho’s daughter Akuonuo described him as patient and thoughtful, recalling his wish that his funeral should be celebrated rather than treated solely as an occasion of mourning.
Retired IAS officer Khekiye K. Sema, speaking on behalf of the in-laws, remembered Keyho as humble, gentle and thoughtful. Recalling his younger days around Aizuto Mission in Nabutomi village, Sema said Keyho had developed a close association with the Sumi community and even adopted their traditional attire.
Sema said Keyho never displayed his stature or authority, preferred listening and consulting others, and remained steadfast in his conviction that the Nagas had lived as a free people and deserved to remain free.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Rev. Dr. Noulezhalie Ricky Medom thanked villagers, well-wishers and leaders of various organisations for their support. He also expressed gratitude to healthcare workers at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima and Rhieo clansmen of Dapfhütsumia Khel for donating land for Keyho’s burial. He said the Naga political issue had been the calling of his late uncle.
Delivering the sermon, Nagaland Christian Revival Church (NCRC) president Rev. Dr. Neikedozo Paphino said Keyho had lived a glorious life whose legacy should be celebrated. He said Naga pioneers, including Keyho, had recognised the uniqueness of the Nagas and strived to assert their political rights. He expressed hope that the sacrifices, tears and bloodshed in the Naga political struggle would not go in vain.
The funeral service was led by Vimedo Keyho, associate pastor of CRC Chedema, while Bible reading and prayer were conducted by Neisatuo Suokhrie, pastor of CRC Chedema. Special musical presentations were made by the youths of CRC Chedema and Ruovipfüvizo Suokhrie.
Late Gen. Keyho was born on May 11, 1930, at Chedema village and was the youngest of five sons of Manyio Medom. His elder brothers included Lhoukuolie Medom and Biseto Medom, a former Kilo Kilonser of the FGN.
According to his biographical account, Keyho joined the FGN on June 11, 1956, as secretary to the Director of Intelligence, Naga Army, FGN. His decision reportedly followed an incident at Kohima Market, where he witnessed the public display of two brutally killed Naga civilians, whose stomachs had been cut open. The account stated that Indian armed forces displayed the bodies with insulting and abusive words, allegedly to terrorise the public.
He was promoted to Brigadier in 1957 and, in 1963, accompanied a Naga Army contingent led by General Mowu to East Pakistan as Command Writer.
On October 24, 1966, Keyho led the first Naga contingent of 132 personnel on an expedition to China. The contingent, which included civilian leaders and then NNC general secretary Th. Muivah as political leader, reached the Chinese frontier on January 27, 1967.
In 1968, Keyho was promoted to Lieutenant General in the Naga Army, FGN. That year, he and Brigadier Neidilie Kuotsu led another group of Naga Army personnel to the People’s Republic of China for further training.
While returning to Nagaland, the group travelled to Dhaka for diplomatic purposes. Following the outbreak of the Indo-Pak war in 1971 and the surrender of East Pakistan, Keyho and his team were reportedly handed over to the Indian Army by the Red Cross. They were taken to Delhi and incarcerated at Tihar Jail before Keyho was transferred to Shillong Jail. He was released in 1976.
After his release, Keyho served as APO president from 1980 to 1984 and was unanimously elected president of the Naga National Workers’ Conference (NNWC) in 1981, a position he held until 1990, with the objective of promoting unity among Naga political groups.
A firm believer in Naga political rights and sovereignty, Keyho maintained that the Nagas should remain steadfast in their political principles. His biographical account stated that he regarded the PRC as a crucial ally in the pursuit of Naga sovereignty. He again led a delegation of five Naga leaders to China in 2014.
On May 11, 2016, Keyho was unanimously elected president of the NNC (Nagaland) at a general meeting held at Yorüba in Phek district, following a consensus nomination by the NNC Central Executive Council. He continued to lead the organisation until October 29, 2026, bringing to a close nearly seven decades of involvement in the Naga national movement.