‘My brother has come home to rest,’ Adinno

Kevilevor Phizo’s funeral service held in Kohima

Keren R. Rose 
Kohima | April 28

Thousands of mourners lined the roads of Kohima as Kevilevor Phizo “came home to rest”, having lived away from it for 46 years. The funeral programme held at Mission Compound in Kohima on April 28 saw a massive gathering of people from all walks of life who braved the rain to sit still throughout the funeral service. Acknowledging the grand reception both in Dimapur and Kohima, Kevilevor’s sister and President of Naga National Council (NNC), Adinno Phizo, expressed gratitude for the love shown to her brother which she termed as ‘overwhelming’. 

“We are returning to our beloved homeland, after 50 years for me, and my dear brother Kevilevor is coming home to rest after 46 years,” she expressed.

Adinno acknowledged the role played by her brother for the Nagas. She mentioned of his love, dedication and unstinting loyalty to the Nagas. Pointing out that over the years Kevilevor has worked tirelessly as a Central Executive Member of the NNC, she added that she is personally grateful to him for all the help and support he had always given her and to the office of the President of the NNC. Adinno further took the opportunity to salute all Naga patriots who have gone home to serve the Naga nation in various capacities and forms.

The Convenor, Funeral Committee, Sovenyi Nyekha, in a short address, thanked the British, Indian and Nagaland government for enabling Kevilevor’s mortal remains to be brought home. He said that Kevilevor Phizo was one amongst the Naga leaders who had a clean image and was a person against whom no group or leaders has ever said anything negative. Mentioning the sacrifice of the great leader, Nyekha said that Kevilevor could have easily carved out a comfortable life for himself but he sacrificed all for the cause instead.

The funeral service was marked by a number of songs, with one titled ‘This Land is mine’, requested by the family of the deceased as the song captured the “essence of the just cause of our land.” The moving song was sung by Jonathan Mesen accompanied by Sahu Peseyie on the piano. Songs were also presented by the Rengma Choir, Chakhesang Baptist Church, Kieno Phizo and family members. Scripture reading and prayers were offered by Rev. Hotokhu P. Zhimomi, Executive Secretary, SABAK. Testimonies were given by B. Pashen, I. Temjenba, Neingunyu Sekhose and Chakiezo Kehie. A speech on behalf of the family was given by Niketu Iralu while Funeral Rites were administered by Rev. Keviyiekielie Linyu. 

The service was chaired by Rev. Dr. Rachulie Vihienuo, Pastor, Union Baptist Church Kohima.

The third child of AZ Phizo, Kevilevor Phizo, was a man known for his humility and commitment to the Naga cause. Kevilevor was the Secretary and one of the founders of the Naga Student’s Organizing Committee, constituted on June 9, 1965 (now NSF). He graduated in Political Science from St. Anthony’s College, Shillong. He was also a Ceasefire Committee member from 1964 to 1966. On the May 10, 1966 he went to London to assist his father in National work. Here he studied International Law from the Lincoln’s Inn Institute and was probably the first Naga to hold an MBA. While in London, besides being a member of the Central Executive Council, he was Executive Director of a chain of malls. He was also a senior Business Consultant and an Associate in the London School of Business. According to family sources, in his later years, Kevilevor financed all the daily expenses of the NNC office in London till his demise from a massive heart attack on April 12, 2013. He was 74 years.

Kevilevor will rest finally (be buried) at Dzusie, Khonoma village. A gentleman who gave up family and comfort, an extraordinary man who sacrificed absolutely all, a man who loved his land so, a special man whom the skies welcomed back with a rainbow. 

“To make this land our home

  If I must fight, I’ll fight to make this land our own

  Until I die, this land is mine” (from the song ‘This Land is mine’)