Kohima: Thousands of men and women on Tuesday joined a peaceful rally in Kohima, Nagaland, protesting the murder of a 22-year-old woman, an event organised by the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO).
Protestors, clad in traditional attires rallied from the PHQ junction to the DC office after which a memorandum was submitted to the chief minister through the DC.
The victim, Vihozhonu Zao, was found dead on the morning of October 25 under mysterious circumstances at Old Ministers’ Hill Colony in Kohima after residents discovered a body near a ring well. The body was reportedly covered with firewood and a sack, bearing visible injuries and wounds.
Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. The prime accused who turned out to be the victim’s adopted uncle of Nepali descent, was arrested after confessing to the crime.
Addressing the gathering, SAYO President Zasitsolie Beio said that given the victim’s background as an active athlete, it was unlikely that a single individual could have committed the crime. He suggested that she may have endured severe pain before her death, indicating possible involvement of multiple perpetrators.
Beio stated that SAYO is willing to work closely with the police until all those responsible are arrested. He added that the nature of the incident points to premeditated homicide and demanded a thorough government investigation, as well as the death penalty for all involved.
Angami Women Organisation (AWO) president Neithono Sothu described the peaceful protest as a rally for justice for the victim, children and women who have suffered injustices. She spoke emotionally about the young woman’s life, her ambitions, and the deep betrayal of being killed by someone she trusted within her own family.
Sothu also cited Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which prescribes death or life imprisonment for murder, and Section 49, which states that an abettor is punished with the same penalty as the offence they abetted if the offence was committed.
Representing the Porutso Khel, Kekhüsezo Zao recalled the life of Vihozhonu Zao, born on 19 September 2003 to the late Lt. Keneithuto Zao, who died on 12 October 2011 when Vihozhonu was eight. He described Vihozhonu as “not just a name” but a bright light, a budding basketball player, an academic achiever and a young leader with the determination to learn, grow and compete in her future career. Her life, he said, was tragically cut short when she was brutally murdered on 25 October 2025.
“We the Porutso Khel, driven by anger and deep sorrow, were compelled to vandalise the property of the accused Samuel who was sheltered. We also conceived foul play within the family and as such, we were constrained to take steps to ostracise (expel) the grandmother and her two aunties as we the Porutso Khel cannot condone (tolerate) any foul play or clandestine deed (secret act) of our own members,” he said.
Reiterating their demand for the harshest punishment, he said the clan demands “capital punishment and nothing less”.
“With all our pain and our anger, we will not accept this. We will not stay silent. We will not forgive this crime. We demand a transparent investigation. No hiding. No protecting. No covering up. Every suspect must be brought out. Every truth must be exposed, and we will not tolerate any foul play. We will not allow conspirators to hide. We will not allow this case to be twisted or delayed,” he added.
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He said the brutal murder of their family member was a profound betrayal of Naga cultural values, casting a deep shadow of humiliation and shame over the entire community in the Naga society where women are revered, and any form of gender-based violence is firmly rejected.
Leaders of the Angami Youth Organisation (AYO), Southern Western Angami Youth Organisation (WAYO), Northern Angami Youth Organisation (NAYO) and Chakhroma Youth Organisation (CYO) also expressed their support for SAYO, calling for a thorough investigation into the case. They demanded that the highest form of punishment be awarded to the perpetrator(s) to ensure that such an act is never repeated in Naga society.
In the memorandum, the protestors demanded the apprehension of all persons involved. “No perpetrator or accomplice must remain at large,” it read.
They also sought deterrent punishment under the relevant sections of law and demanded that no bail be granted to the accused, opposing any attempts that may be made to secure his release. The SAYO further called for a strengthened investigation and monitoring process, preventive measures to safeguard women and girls, support for the victim’s family, and a public assurance from the government of its commitment to zero tolerance for crimes against women, swift justice delivery, and the safety and security of all citizens.
Also Read | Kohima Police crack murder case: Adopted uncle kills niece in rage