Former Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker laid to rest

Our Correspondent

Sungratsü, Jan. 9 (EMN): Hundreds of people gathered at Senden Lenden, Sungratsü, to pay their last respects to former Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly Dr. Imtiwapang Aier before his mortal remains were laid to rest at his native Sungratsü village cemetery on Monday.

A host of dignitaries including minister of PWD (M&H) Tongpang Ozukum, top state government functionaries, NGOs and civil society leaders, political party workers and relatives delivered eulogies at the funeral service that lasted more than two hours.

Describing Dr. Aier as a legislator who was respected by all, Ozukum said he actively participated in the Assembly, be it during the presentation of budget, motion of thanks or Naga political issues.

“Even though he served in the opposition bench for most of his tenure, he was an active participant on public issue debates in the Assembly,” he asserted.

He also conveyed heartfelt condolence on behalf of the Ao legislatures.

Takachiba Longchar, Village Council Chairman of Sungratsü, said that the deceased legislator was a young and patriotic leader with good vision.

His demise is a great loss and his absence will be deeply felt, he added.

The wife and family members of the deceased, and leaders of several organisations spoke at the funeral service chaired by Arenla Lemtur.

The mortal remains of former NLA speaker and MLA of 23 Impur Assembly Constituency, who passed away in Dimapur on January 7 after a brief illness,  reached his native village Sungratsü on January 8 evening.

The villagers received the body holding traditional torch in their hands, while the vanguard peer group (Süngjileper) of the village carried the casket containing the mortal remains of the leader.