During the Second World War, he joined the Naga Labour Corps as a Quartermaster in 1942 (aged 19) and worked to combat the advancing Japanese forces in Northeast India.
[4] After the war, he finished his matriculation from Jorhat Mission School and proceeded to Serampore College for his Intermediate Arts.
When the Shillong Accord lost its legitimacy among the Naga people, the NNC split into two groups: one under the leadership of Yanthan (NNC-K) and another under Adino Phizo (NNC-A).
[6] They immediately met George Patterson of the International Committee for the Study of Group Rights, and Angami Zapu Phizo, the President of the Naga National Council, along with their legal advisers.
[6] In London, Khodao and Phizo worked towards informing people about the Naga situation and urged them to get involved.
Abraham Lotha writes, "For Khodao and the leaders, the ideas of independence and sovereignty are interchangeable.
Eventually, he asked the British Government in assisting him with formal training to qualify for another kind of job.
[10] In the wee hours of 3 March, Khodao's funeral convoy reached Camp Hebron.
Indian security forces as well as National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M) lined the road to the camp.
White and pink flowers in cane vases tied to bamboo poles adorned the coffin.
Reflecting on Yanthan's life and death, Sanjay Barbora writes,History has also shown us that with every act of renunciation comes an opportunity for renewal.
[13] Before Yanthan died, he constructed his own tomb and authored his epitaph,Here lies unsung a Naga patriot.