Nagalim Voice July 2026
A Brief Life Story of Mr. Inakhe Phucho Achumi
Mr. Inakhe Phucho Achumi was born in 1945 in Lazami Village under Pughoboto Sub-Division, Zunheboto District, to Mr. Gucho and Mrs. Ashu. He grew up during a time of immense political uncertainty and social change in the Naga homeland, when the dreams, struggles, and sacrifices of the Naga people were shaping the lives of an entire generation. With the rise of the Naga national movement, he joined the Naga Army in 1965 as a young man filled with conviction and courage. Like many of his generation, he believed deeply in the cause of his people and willingly embraced hardship for what he considered a greater purpose.
One of the most remarkable chapters of his life came on 7 December 1971, when he was among the Naga Army personnel who undertook the historic journey to China under the command of Major Vedai. The journey itself was filled with danger, uncertainty, hunger, exhaustion, and sacrifice. Yet, despite the hardships, he carried those memories throughout his life with pride and emotion. Although he had little formal education and left behind no written records, his stories remained alive in the hearts of those who listened to him. As children, we would often sit quietly around him while he recalled his difficult journey through forests and mountains, crossing unfamiliar lands until they finally reached China, where they received military trainings.
What impressed him most during his stay in China was not only the military training, but the discipline and character of the Chinese soldiers. He often spoke with admiration about their punctuality, cleanliness, unity, and smartness. Those memories stayed deeply rooted in him for the rest of his life.
Some of the items he brought back from China — a simple Tiffin box, a spoon, and a compass used during the long journey — became treasured possessions in our family. To outsiders, they may have appeared ordinary, but to us they carried the weight of history, struggle, and sacrifice. They were silent reminders of the difficult road he once walked as a young man de-voted to his people.
There were also moments from our childhood that remain unforgettable. In the quiet mornings and evenings, he would sometimes sing songs in a language we could not understand. We later learned that they were Chinese songs taught to them during their stay in China. At that time, as children, we wondered whether he truly remembered the songs correctly after so many years. Yet hearing him sing, one could sense that those memories never left him. It was through him that we first heard the name Mao Zedong. He spoke of Mao as a revolutionary leader greatly respected by the Chinese people. Though we were too young to fully understand the historical and political meaning of those stories, we could see how deeply those experiences had shaped him.
Years later, during the visit of Ato Kilonser Th. Muivah to Pughoboto in 2010, our doubts about his memories disappeared completely. Mr. Phucho and some of his contemporaries met and reminisced about their experiences in China. To our amazement, they conversed and even sang together in the Chinese dialect they had learned decades earlier during their training. In that moment, it felt as though time itself had carried them back to their youth, to those difficult yet unforgettable days far away from home.
In 1974, while attempting to travel to China for a second time along with Chairman Isak Chishi Swu, Mr. Phucho was arrested by the Indian Army in Ao territory. He was imprisoned in Nowgong (Nagaon), Assam, for about one year. For his family and loved ones, it was a painful and uncertain period. Yet even imprisonment did not weaken his conviction. He was later released on 17 October 1975 by Director P. P. Shrivastava. After his release, he was reportedly offered employment by the Indian Government. Many in his situation might have accepted the opportunity for a more secure and comfortable life. But he quietly refused the offer and chose instead to return to his native village and remain true to the principles he believed in.
In 1980, he married and was blessed with two sons and five daughters. Though he was no longer actively serving in the field, his commitment to the Naga national movement never faded. In whatever way he could, he continued to support and assist the cause he had dedicated his youth to. On 28 May 1998, he formally rejoined active national service as a Khapur under the appointment of Worthingla Varah, Deputy Secretary, Kilo Affairs, GPRN. He continued serving with dedication and loyalty until his passing on 30 June 2012, holding the rank of Leacy. Despite lacking formal education, Mr. Inakhe Phucho possessed something far greater — unwavering conviction, loyalty, and courage. He remained steadfast in his beliefs throughout his life and served wholeheartedly until his final days.
Perhaps one of the most emotional reflections of his journey was the name he gave to his eldest son: “NBKCTO,” representing Naga–Burma–Kachin–China–To — the route he travelled during his historic journey to China. In the Sumi language, “To” means “reached,” symbolizing the completion of that extraordinary journey. Through that name, he ensured that the memory of his struggles and sacrifices would never be forgotten. His deep love for the Naga national cause was also reflected in the names he gave his children. One of his daughters was named “Nagakani,” a name expressing the hope that the Naga people would one day govern themselves. It revealed not only his political belief, but also the quiet dream he carried in his heart throughout his life.
He strongly believed that future generations should dedicate themselves to serving their people. He often encouraged his children to uphold this vision and contribute to the welfare and aspirations of the Naga people. Wanting his ideals and legacy to continue, he entrusted his eldest son with the responsibility of serving the nation and carrying forward the path he once walked. Today, his son continues to serve with dedication and commitment, honoring the values, principles, and sacrifices that Mr. Inakhe Phucho Achumi cherished throughout his life.
Mr. Inakhe Phucho Achumi’s life was not a life of wealth, comfort, or recognition. It was a life shaped by struggle, sacrifice, endurance, hope, and unwavering commitment to what he believed in. Though he is no longer with us, his memories continue to live on in the hearts of his family, his children, and all those who knew him.
For us, he was more than just a father and elder. He was a living witness to a chapter of Naga history — a man who carried both the pain and the dreams of his generation quietly within him until his final days.