Thousands of people today thronged Thipuzumi Local Ground under Phek district and paid their homage and final respect to late Thepushu Venuh, Vice President of Naga National Council, whose mortal remains were brought to his ancestral village, 43 years after his assassination on November 27, 1979.
The program was organized by the Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO) in honor of the life of late Venuh. A member of Retrieval Mission in bringing the mortal remains from Myanmar, Vezalhu Nyekha, stated that “this (mission) was God’s will/ intervention which was prayed for many years by the people.”
CPO president Vezuhu Keyho, Chakhesang Mothers Association (CMA), Legislator Dr Chotisuh Sazo, president Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) Vezhoduyi Nakro, and other spoke on the occasion. The funeral rites were ministered by Rev Khrotso Mero, executive secretary, Chakhesang Baptist Church Council.
Brief biography of Thepushu Venuh
He is also popularly known as T P. Venuh and was the last Vice President of the unified Naga National Council (NNC). The first son of Venucho Venuh and Nuhiitalu Venuh, he was born in 1928 at Thipuzumi village.
He received his early education at Phüdozho (present North Kikriima) and his higher Schooling at Chozuba and Mission School Kohima.
He exhibited leadership qualities at a young age and developed a strong responsibility to serve the people. With the passage of time, he led and served in various capacities. The notable contribution and achievements of Thepushu Venuh in his illustrious life are as follows:
* Participated in the Naga Voluntary Plebiscite in 1951 conducted by the NNC.
* The 1st Chairman of Thipuzumi Progressive Meeting in 1954 and also served as the President of Thipüzumi Students’ Union the same year.
* Joined the Naga National Movement on 12th March, 1956.
* Served as the -NNC Representative in Kachinland, had his camp on a mountain which was named T.P. Zawtu after him.
* Sent to China two times for, the Naga Political cause and met Chairman Mao Tse Tung (Mao Zedong) which resulted in the procurement of huge quantity of arms and ammunitions for the Nagas.
* Met Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the President of Pakistan to garner support for the Naga Political Cause.
* Elected as Tatar in August 1974.
* Elected as the Vice President of NNC on 9th March 1979.
* Assassinated on 27th November 1979 by the NSCN for his refusal to accept the Socialist Political Ideology.
MESSAGE OF CONVENER WC, NNPGS, ON RETRIEVING REMAINS OF NNC VICE PRESIDENT LATE T.P VENUH FROM EASTERN NAGALAND
For the Naga people, it is a heart touching moment that after more than forty years, the mortal remains, the dry bones of our respected and adored NNC Vice President late Ino. Thepushu Venuh, popularly called T.P Venuh, has finally been retrieved and brought home to his beloved people at Thepüzumi village under Chakhesang region, to rest alongside his ancestors.
WC, NNPGs believes a significant step has been achieved by the Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO), the family and concerned Chakhesang patriots in deciding to give our late leader a befitting final resting place. Somewhere in a secluded spot in Eastern Nagaland he was isolated, shot and buried. May his soul finally be contended among his illustrious comrades. He was arrested, imprisoned and killed on 27th Nov. 1979 for his unshakable trust in then undivided NNC, at the command of nascent communist inspired NSCN authors. Now the issue is between God Almighty, the creator of Nagaland and those who ordered and committed hundreds of such abominable killings of fellow Nagas. To escape human scrutiny, one could justify cold blooded murder of a fellow human but to our Creator God, the sin of talking a man’s life is unjustifiable.
As per history, Late Thepushu Venuh (1928-1979) was a true nationalist, a gifted orator, statesman, diplomat of NNC and a true leader of man. He met and conversed with a number of world leaders of his day and led an inspiring life for those around him. A trusted confidant of AZ Phizo, he had a premonition that his eventful life was in danger of being snuffed out. Even at the last moments, with gun barrels pointed at him, he courageously inspired the killers and gave thanks to Jehovah before eventually being silenced.
Today, more than forty years after his death, we celebrate his earthly homecoming although in a humble casket. His mortal remains deserves the gentle breeze of his beloved village. He deserves a noble spot, the garlands, grass and flowers of youthful Chakhesangs. He deserves folk tunes and happy praises from the young and elderly, even though forty years late.
WC, NNPGs salutes Ino. T. P Venuh for his integrity and commitment to Naga cause. Generations have elapsed but his exemplary courage is freshly retold. May his descendants in particular and Chakhesangs in general be blessed with great patriots like him.