Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio declared a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each family of the five individuals who died and Rs 50,000 for those severely injured in a tragic bus crash in Kohima district. The Chief Minister also expressed his hopes for the swift recovery of the wounded. Rio conveyed deep sorrow over the incident and offered his sincere sympathies to the families of the deceased.
The fatal accident occurred late Saturday night in Kohima district, specifically between 10 Mile and Peducha. The victims, both deceased and injured, belonged to the Chümoukedima Ao Baptist Church, as stated by the Chief Minister. Police reported that the bus, transporting over 40 church members, veered off the road near Dzudza Bridge due to a suspected mechanical malfunction.
The injured individuals were promptly taken to the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) in Dimapur for medical attention, with some in critical condition. To recover the bodies trapped under the overturned bus, an excavator was employed. Volunteers from the Northern Angami Youth Organisation (NAYO), under the leadership of its president, collaborated with the police and district officials to provide aid and evaluate the situation.
Youths from NAYO and Tsiesema Village contributed shawls to cover the deceased bodies. The victims were identified as A. Amongla (76), Imtimenla (58), Asangla Pongen (52), Bendangla Jamir (52), and the youngest, Yangerinla (35). A collective funeral service for the five victims took place at the Chümoukedima Ao Baptist Arogo premises on Sunday.
