It was by chance that the Naga youth Vepahü Kezo alias Apa (31) ,who went missing for eleven days, was discovered by the Nagaland Police (1st NAP Bn) stationed at New Delhi.
According to sources, Apa was found by the guard checking party while on a routine duty, dropping meals (Khanna) to all the static duty station in one of the traffic red light junction of Mal Kana, Tis Hazari District Court, south Delhi at around 10.30 a.m.Monday.
It was reported that one of the jawans was curious to see a youth with Naga-like features on the roadside and stopped the vehicle to make enquires. It was then discovered that the youth was none other than Apa Kezo missing since Sept 18 from Malviya Nagar, South Delhi.
Dirty and hungry, Apa was taken to the main Office of the 1st NAP Bn at Model Town II, North Delhi where he had his shower and was given food.
According to sources, a happy Apa told the jawans : “Moi tho bhabi she, Nagaland aro kityabi nadhi ki bo” (I thought I will never see Nagaland again). Narrating about his 11 days experience of living on the pavement Apa Keso said, he tried to approach some Delhi Police several times but they chased him thinking that he was a beggar.
Apa said he used to clean vehicles everyday in that particular red light stop of Tis Hazari court area and earned about Rs. 20-30 a day,which he used to buy Roti for meal. He also revealed he was beaten up by about eight to ten local urchins of that area, in a ‘turf war’ of sorts. On rare occasions when he earned Rs.50, Apa said he tried to make calls to his home and the only number that he could remember was the home landline but unfortunately that phone was out of order.
Police sources said, the Apa’s main problem was his inability to speak or understand Hindi. Later, Apa Kezo’s family members went to the 1st NAP Bn office in Model Town, and took him back to his sister’s (Mary Kezo) house at Malviya Nagar, Khirkhi Extension.
Meanwhile the Chakhesang Students Union Delhi in a release issued by its president Zhoi Lohe, expressed gratitude to the 1st Nagaland Armed Police, Agriculture Minister Kuzholuzo (Azo)Neinu for financial assistance, B K Bhalla (Resident Commissioner) and staff of Nagaland House Delhi, Mr. Martin Pienyü (Commandant, 1st NAP), Mr. Kenesa Dawhuo, (Asst. Comdt.) and Naga StudentsUnion, Delhi for various assistance.It may recalled that this newspaper broke the story in its September 24 issue.
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