Mortal remains to arrive Dimapur at 12 noon; state funeral in Kohima
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 22 (EMN): Member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and advisor for Excise and Sericulture, Imtikumzuk Longkumer, passed away on September 22 at a hospital in New Delhi. He was 51. He is survived by wife Imkongzenla, one son and four daughters.
The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) legislator from Aonglenden assembly constituency in Mokokchung district was said to have been suffering multiple health complications including a renal ailment and was undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital in Delhi. He died of cardiac arrest on Saturday evening.
The mortal remains of the demised leader are being flown from Delhi to Dimapur on Sunday. It shall be brought to Kohima to his official quarters where a brief memorial and send-off programme will be held, family sources said. Thereafter, the remains will be taken to his ancestral village Ungma where a state funeral is expected to be accorded to him, on Tuesday, September 25.
Born on Jan. 21, 1967 at Ungma village in Mokokchung district, Longkumer started his political career as a member of the Congress’ youth wing in the early 1990s. He entered electoral politics in 2008 and contested from the Aonglenden assembly constituency as an independent candidate but lost. In 2013, he became an MLA for the first time. Since then, he had served as deputy speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and as a parliamentary secretary for Information and Public Relations in the 12th assembly.
He contested in this year’s state assembly elections on the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party ticket and was reelected. He was then appointed as advisor for Excise and Sericulture till he breathed his last.
Imtikumzuk Longkumer graduated from Dimapur, in 1994. He married Imkongzenla Jamir, and had a son and four daughters. He joined politics as general secretary of the ACYC, Congress during 1993-2008; he was PS to chief minister during 1998-2003; vice-president of the Naga People’ Front for Aonglenden division during 2009-2013.
He contested as an Independent candidate in the 11th general election from 26-Aonglenden assembly constituency but lost; contested again from the same constituency on the INC ticket and was elected to the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Leaders mourn demise
PB Acharya: The governor of Nagaland PB Acharya expressed grief at the demise of Imtikumzuk Longkumer, advisor forSericulture & Excise and former deputy speaker who passed away on September 22 in New Delhi.
In a condolence message that was received here on Saturday, Governor Acharya said that the contributions of the late Longkumer to the welfare of the people of Nagaland as a member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly will be remembered forever.
‘In his demise, people of Nagaland have lost a tall and prominent leader,’ the governor stated.
Acharya has conveyed condolences to the members of the bereaved family and prayed that the Almighty God grant strength and solace to them to bear the loss.
Neiphiu Rio: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has expressed deep shock and pain that the legislator is no more.
“Late Imtikumzuk was an upcoming statesman who was making his mark in the political history of our state. Although he lost his first election, he got elected from 26 Aonglenden assembly constituency for two consecutive terms in 2013 and 2018,” the chief minister said in a condolence message that was received here on Saturday.
“He also served as Deputy Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and I recall my long association and closeness with Ungma village of which he will always remain an intrinsic part of those cherished memories.” His early demise, Rio lamented, has left a deep void in the state; it is a ‘big loss to the family, village and the party.’
“We mourn the loss of a young, upcoming leader who was not only diligent in his duties and responsibilities, but also a fine gentleman who went out his way to help the people. He was a great asset to the government as well as the NDPP and his absence will be felt tremendously,” the chief minister stated.
“In this hour of grief, I on behalf of the Government of Nagaland and on behalf of my family, express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and all their near and dear ones. May Almighty God be with you in this time of sorrow. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace.”
Y Patton : The dy. chief minister and leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party BLP leader for Nagaland Y Patton has expressed deep pain and sorrow at the demise of Imtikumzuk Longkumer.
‘Lt. Imtikumzuk was an able statesman and a refined legislator who led a humble life respecting all other legislators. The BJPLP feels a huge vacuum being created by his demise. The BJPLP conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prays for the departed soul to rest in peace,’ Patton stated in a message.
TR Zeliang: Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang also issued a condolence message expressing anguish and mourning the passing of a ‘good soul.’
“Feeling absolutely distraught to learn about the demise of Imtikumzuk, MLA from Aonglenden constituency in Mokokchung district. A very simple man, I had the pleasure to work with him. He was a man who had a very positive outlook towards life. In his untimely demise, we have lost a good soul,” the former chief minister stated.
Zeliang stated that Longkumer was elected to the 12th assembly on the INC ticket and later joined the NPF. “He served with grit and sincerity as parliamentary secretary and also as deputy speaker during the 12th House and was serving as advisor in this 13th House.”
“I relish the memory of Imtikumzuk who launched my social media pages that I have today. Grateful for all that he had done and may his memory continue to live in us. I extend my deepest condolences to his wife Smti Imkongzenla and children and all bereaved family members,” the message read. “May his soul rest in peace.”
