Candlelight vigil held in Wokha to honour Vihozhonu Zao

WOKHA — A candlelight vigil was held at the Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (DBHSS) Basketball Court in Wokha town on Tuesday evening to pay tribute to Late Vihozhonu Zao, a young basketball player whose untimely demise has left the sporting fraternity in mourning.

The programme, chaired by Mhabemo E Murry, general secretary of the Wokha District Basketball Association (WDBA), commenced with an invocation led by Rev. Fr. Stephen, principal of DBHSS Wokha. This was followed by the ceremonial lighting of candles in remembrance of the departed.

Addressing the gathering, WDBA president M Renthungo Mozhui expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Vihozhonu, describing her as a dedicated athlete in her early twenties whose passion for basketball had inspired many. “Her tragic death under suspicious circumstances has shocked and outraged the community,” he stated.

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Mozhui condemned the incident and called upon the authorities to initiate a thorough and impartial investigation to ensure justice is served. “This heinous act is not merely an attack on an individual but on the very ideals of sportsmanship and hope that she embodied,” he added.

He further urged the community to stand united against violence and hatred and to work collectively towards creating a society where young people can pursue their aspirations without fear.