The brutal murder of 22-year-old Vihozhonu Zao, daughter of Late Keneithüto Zao from Jakhama village, has drawn strong condemnations and calls for justice from various organizations, including the Jakhama Village Council (JVC), the Jakhama Youth Organisation (JYO), and the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO).
According to reports, the body of Vihozhonu was found on the morning of October 25, 2025, near her residence in Kohima, hidden behind a ring-well and covered with a sack, clothes, and firewood. The shocking discovery has left the community in disbelief.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Jakhama Village Council expressed “utmost resentment” over what it described as a “senseless act of violence that has left the family and the whole community in utter shock and disbelief.”
“Late Vihozhonu Zao was a brilliant student in college, a sports enthusiast with passion for basketball. Her life was a promise of a beautiful future for the family and society—a promise that was cut short by a heinous crime,” the council stated.
Condemning the “barbaric act” in the strongest terms, the JVC urged the concerned authorities to expedite the investigation with “utmost urgency and diligence” and to prosecute the perpetrator(s) with the severest of punishment without leniency. The council also called for improved safety measures for women and children, emphasizing that “the absence of justice will be an unbearable torment.”
The JVC appealed to the public to assist investigating agencies with any information that could aid the case, while cautioning against circulating unverified information. “The Jakhama Village Council will not let Late Vihozhonu Zao’s death be in vain, but will not rest until justice is served,” it affirmed.
The Jakhama Youth Organisation (JYO) also issued a strong condemnation, describing the killing as a “cold-blooded and barbaric murder” that has “pierced the soul of our community.” The organisation demanded that the case be treated with the highest urgency. “Let it be known the blood of the innocent shall not be silenced, and justice must thunder forth like a storm against evil,” the JYO declared.
Meanwhile, the Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) expressed deep shock and profound dismay at what it called an “inhuman and lawless act.”
SAYO urged the authorities to “take stringent action against the culprits and serve justice to the victim’s family,” while highlighting that such crimes raise serious concerns about the safety of women in the state.
Calling for unity, SAYO appealed to civil organizations, citizens, and community leaders for a “unified stand against such acts of injustice and social disorder” and assured full support to the bereaved family in their time of grief.
The Nagaland Basketball Association (NBA) expressed deep shock and outrage over the “brutal and senseless murder” of Vihozhonu Zao, describing her as a “rising star of Nagaland women’s basketball and a proud representative of the state at the U23 National Basketball Championship held in Guwahati earlier this year.”
“Vihozhonu was more than an athlete—she was a symbol of hope, discipline, and determination for countless young sportspersons across Nagaland. Her life, full of promise and potential, has been cut short by an act of unimaginable violence,” the NBA stated.
Calling the incident “a devastating loss for the entire sporting community,” the association urged law enforcement authorities and the state government to “leave no stone unturned in identifying and apprehending the perpetrator(s).”
“We urge the government to ensure that justice is swift and uncompromising, sending a clear and resolute message that such barbaric acts will not be tolerated in our society,” the letter stated.
“As we mourn the loss of one of our brightest talents, we also reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the dignity and safety of every athlete in Nagaland,” it added.
The statement was signed by Zhaleo Rio, IAS (Retd), President, and Sentiningsang Longkumer, Honorary Secretary of the Nagaland Basketball Association.
