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Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) Major General MM Naravane and family members of the late Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse, MVC (posthumous) today paid rich tributes at the fallen hero’s memorial at Nerhema village under Kohima along National Highway-61.Neisielie Kenguruse, father of Captain Kenguruse, friends, relatives, chairmen and GBs of Nerhema and neighboring villages attended the ceremony organized by the 5 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of IGAR (North).
Remembering the supreme sacrifice made by soldiers of the India army during the Kargil War 1999, Maj Gen Naravane saluted the martyrs and said the sacrifice made by Captain Kenguruse will always be remembered. India being a large country, he said, her forces must learn to find a common ground to make the nation stronger. He called upon the people of Nagaland to stop the ‘infighting’ and shun violence if the people of the state are to achieve peace and attain development.
The military officer said that the resolution of violence through dialogue would be the first preference of the army in the state. But they would also not shy away from using force as the last option to maintain peace and tranquility, the IGAR chief told the gathering.
How Captain Kenguruse took out the enemy bunker
During the event, the gathering was told about how Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse had volunteered to undertake a daring commando mission of attacking a well-entrenched enemy machine gun position, on a cliff face, which was heavily interfering with all the approaches to the main objective of the battalion. As the commando team scaled the cliff face, it came under intense mortar and automatic fire, which caused heavy casualties.
The brave officer sustained splinter injury in his abdomen. Bleeding profusely yet undeterred, he urged his men to carry on with the assault, the gathering was told. On reaching the final cliff face, the commando team was halted by a sheer rock wall that separated them from the enemy machine gun post. The officer took off his shoes to get a good grip and scaled the rock wall carrying with him a rocket launcher, which he fired at the enemy position.
The officer thereafter charged at the enemy position and personally killed two men with his rifle and another two with his commando knife in a hand to hand combat before succumbing to his injury.
By his dare devil act, Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse single handedly neutralized the enemy position, which had held up the battalion’s progress earlier. The Major General said that the manner in which Captain Kenguruse fought against the enemy helped in achieving victory in the Kargil War and it continues to inspire the uniformed personnel till date. He also highlighted the leadership qualities of this brave officer of the Indian Army and encouraged the local youth present to emulate such bravery so that country reaches greater heights.
The 5 Sector Assam Rifles has also instituted an award for bravery in remembrance of Captain Kenguruse. Neizakie Pielie of Griphema Basa village under Kohima district was conferred the award for his act of bravery in saving the life of a girl, Keneinyunuo of Gariphema Basa village, from being drowned. The award comprises of a cash prize of Rs. 5000 and a citation.
Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse, son of Neisielie Kenguruse of Nerhema village was born on July 15, 1974. He did his schooling at St Xavier School in Jalukie and graduated from Kohima Science College. He served as a teacher at the Government High School in Kohima from 1994 to 1997. He was later commissioned into the Indian Army on December 12, 1998. On June 28, 1999, during the Kargil War with Pakistan, he attained martyrdom. He was killed while destroying enemy bunkers and killing four enemy soldier. He was awarded the Mahavir Chakra (MVC) for his gallant act.
On the occasion, the 11 Assam Rifles also conducted a discourse for the youth of Nagaland to motivate them to join the armed forces. The army also distributed pamphlets showing details about the various recruitment schemes available.