Nagaland MLA Toshi Wungtung to be accorded state funeral on Saturday

Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 1 (EMN): Member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) and Advisor, Toshi Wungtung passed away on Thursday while undergoing treatment for post-Covid complications at BLK Hospital in New Delhi.

He was 56 and is survived by his wife Lipokla Wungtung.

He was serving as the advisor of Information and Public Relations, State Council of Educational Research and Training and Village Guards, at the time of his demise. He was the fifth from the 13th NLA who passed away.

Born on August 20, 1964 at Shamator town, Wungtung entered politics in 2018 and was elected to the 13th NLA from 58-Shamator-Chessore Assembly Constituency in the same year on Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) ticket.

He was one of the few scholar-turned politicians from the state. His educational qualification included MA, M Phil, de-registered senior research scholar, PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

He was also an environmental conservationist, activist, active worker and promoter of Naga art and culture, its customs and traditions, as well as a keen sportsman and an adventurer.

Prior to his political innings, he served as a stalwart leader in various capacities.

Farewell service in Delhi

A farewell service of the deceased was conducted at Nagaland House, New Delhi, on Thursday evening, where Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and other legislators, who are currently in the national capital, attended and paid respect to the departed soul.

His mortal remains will be brought to Dimapur by flight on Friday.

State funeral on July 3

Nagaland government has announced that a state funeral will be accorded to the late legislator at his residence in Purana Bazaar, Dimapur, on Saturday, July 3, at 8 am, after which his mortal remains will be taken to his hometown in Shamator for the last rites.

Brief biography

• He served as the president of Naga Students’ Union Delhi.
• Member Consultative/ Advisory Committee Naga Students’ Federation (NSF)
• Member, Border Area Research and Drafting Committee NSF on Legal Interpretation of Article 371 (A) in regard to Land and Resources and 16 Point Agreement.
• Students’ representative to the Academic Council of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Delhi.
• Senior Research Fellow, ICSSR (Indian Council of Social Science Research).
• Associated for Ethnic/Native Studies at the University of Texas, USA.
• UNICEF State Co-ordinator for HIV/AIDS.
• Member Governing Body NEZCC, Government of India.
• Represented Nagaland at a seminar on the History and Migration of North East Groups at Aizawl, Mizoram.
• Research associate and author of articles in Social Anthropology and others for research institutes in Europe.
• Research Associate for NEPED (Nagaland Environmental Protection and Economic Development).
• Served as field officer, State Pollution Control Board (Nagaland).
• Spokesperson Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) on Indo-Naga political affairs and peace process.
• General Secretary Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO).
• Member, negotiating team in bilateral-talks between Ministry of Home Affairs and ENPO for social, economic and political empowerment of eastern Nagaland.
• Spokesperson and Advisor Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC).
• Convener, Border Affairs (International), Natural Resources Management and Environmental Protection Committee, Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO).
• Worked on Issues through assignment with the Nagaland State Government, Government’s of India and Myanmar relating to International Border Pillars and survey, and with special reference to removal and stalling of border fencing between International Border pillars 145-146 along the Indo-Myanmar border.
• Member Nagaland State Electricity Board Tribunal.
• Member Forum for Naga Reconciliation.
• Worked on wildlife conservation, particularly along the Saramati mountain and cross-border areas.