| caption: |
Historical Summary - The Hills Districts |
| caption: |
death of Damant at Khonoma |
| text: |
In the course of the rains of 1879 indications of coming trouble began to present themselves, but no serious apprehensions were entertained by the Political Officer, Mr Damant, who had planned an expedition during the cold weather into Hathigoria country to the east of the Doyong. Before starting on this, however, he resolved to visit the powerful villages of Jotsoma, Khonoma, and Mezuma, to ascertain their disposition, and whether he might safely leave Kohima. On the 14th October he arrived at Khonoma, and, leaving half his escort of 2l sepoys and 65 police with his baggage at the foot of the hill, he advanced with the other half up the narrow path leading to the strongly fortified village site. The gate of the village was found closed, and as Mr Damant stood before it he was shot dead. A volley was then poured into his escort, who turned and fled down the hill. The Nagas followed, and dispersed the troops and police, who endeavoured by twos and threes to escape to Kohima. Of the military accompanying Mr Damant, 10 were killed and 5 wounded; of the police, 25 were killed and 14 wounded. |
