Nagaland: Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse remembered

Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 28 (EMN): Commemorating the 22nd death anniversary of Captain (late) Neikezhakuo Kenguruse, who was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second highest gallantry award, a solemn ceremony was organised at  Phezha village, about 18 km away from Kohima on Monday.

Paying respect to the martyr, wreaths were laid by Neiselie Kenguruse, father of  Captain Kenguruse; Maj Gen VPS Kaushik, SM, Inspector General  Assam Rifles (North); Brigadier Vinod Bajiya, SM, Deputy Inspector General Assam Rifles (North); and Brigadier Abhinav Gurha, Commander, 5 Sector Assam Rifles and others at the War Memorial at Phezha village.

Major Ajeet Singh Maurya, while reading out an eulogy, recalled how Kenguruse who hailed from Nerhema village, was awarded Maha Vir Chakra posthumously following his “unmatched courage and supreme sacrifice in the face of the enemy” during the Kargil War that took place between May-July 1999 along the line of control (LOC).

“Maha Vir Chakra to the Captain has epitomised his bravery and made him a legend,” he said, adding that “his (Kenguruse) saga of courage has become a source of motivation for the local youth to join the Armed Forces in the service of the nation”.

Neiselie Kenguruse, father of Neikezhakuo, told Eastern Mirror that his son initially didn’t reveal about going to the war zone though he did mention he wasn’t sure if he could come home anytime soon.

Recalling his last telephonic conversation with his son, Neiselie said that he later told that his team was doing well but ‘was not at peace seeing friends dying’.

He said he was left devastated after hearing about the demise of his son but thought it was God’s plan after witnessing “so much love and respect” shown towards him.

It was said that Kenguruse showed exemplary bravery during the Operation Vijay in Kargil on June 28 1999 by scaling a rock wall and attacking the enemy’s position despite sustaining an injury to his abdomen. He later succumbed to his injuries.

Paying tribute to him, a tree plantation drive and Covid-19 vaccination camp were organised and an ex-servicemen grievance cell was established at the memorial site on Monday to reach out to the locals.

Essential medicines and relief materials were also distributed to ex-servicemen and the villagers present at the event.

Aba Rülho, a medical staff from sub-centre Nerhema, Health and Wellness Centre (HWC), informed that a total of 58 people, including Assam Rifles personnel received Covid vaccine at the site.

It was informed that medical personnel from Chiephobozou, Community Health Centre (CHC), also administered vaccine to beneficiaries during the immunisation camp organised by the Assam Rifles at the War Memorial site.

Meanwhile, a registration drive was also undertaken at the camp to encourage local women to join the Corps of Military Police.