Mass funeral held for five victims of Kohima bus mishap as Ao community mourns and injured recover.
Share
DIMAPUR — A mass funeral service for the five victims of a tragic bus mishap was held at the premises of Chümoukedima Ao Baptist Arogo on Sunday. The victims lost their lives when a bus met with an accident at 10th mile area in Kohima district on the night of January 31.
The deceased were identified as A Amongla (76) of Chuchuyimlang village; Imtimenla (58) of Longsa village, President of Watsü Telen Chümoukedima; Asangla Pongen (52) of Chuchuyimlang village; Bendangla Jamir (52) of Khar village, Secretary of Watsü Telen Chümoukedima; and the youngest victim, Yangerinla (35), of Merangkong village. All five were laid to rest at the Naga Cemetery in Zani village.
According to reports, 43 members of Chümoukedima Ao Baptist Arogo had travelled to attend the historic ‘Day of Repentance’ programme held on January 30 and 31 at Mokokchung, organised by the Mokokchung Town Ao Baptist Church Mission. Of them, 27 were travelling in the ill-fated bus at the time of the accident.
Related: Tragedy on Kohima–Mokokchung road: Five killed in bus mishap
The accident is suspected to have been caused by brake failure. Several passengers sustained injuries, while two injured persons are currently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CHIRS) and are reported to be in stable condition.
Addressing the gathering, the president of Ao Seden said that the entire Ao community shared the grief of the bereaved families and stood in solidarity with them.
He said that the community had received spiritual direction during the Day of Repentance programme and expressed gratitude to Naga brothers and sisters for their support during the tragic time.
A representative of the Mokokchung Town Ao Baptist Church Mission said that the programme was spiritually significant and urged believers to strengthen their faith, adding that the incident should not be viewed as a defeat.
Recounting his ordeal, Aomar Longchar, Associate Pastor at Chümoukedima Ao Baptist Arogo, said that the group had prayed inside the bus before departing Mokokchung around 2.30 pm. He said that near 10th Mile, the passengers observed a brief prayer before the vehicle developed brake problems, lost control and crashed.
He recalled being thrown out through the shattered windshield but said he survived with clarity of mind. Members of Diphupar Ao Church, travelling in another bus, reached the spot and assisted in rescuing the injured, who were later shifted to CHIRS.
Brief addresses were also delivered by family members and church representatives.