Dimapur, March 13 (EMN): Former speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) M Chenlom Phom passed away on the evening of March 13 at his private residence in Purana Bazaar, Dimapur after a prolong illness. He was 86.
Phom first came to prominence in state politics when he was elected to the state assembly from Longleng constituency in 1977 as a UDF legislator. From 1980 to 1982, he served as the minister of state for Relief and Rehabilitation, Education and Jails.
In 1985 he was elected deputy-speaker and two years later, in 1987, he was sworn in as the speaker of the NLA. In the same year, he was re-elected as a Congress legislator and served as a cabinet minister for Geology and Mining, and Art and Culture.
His final stint in the state cabinet was as a minister for Fishery, Printing and Stationary from 2003 to 2005 as a JD (U) legislator. In 2008 he contested on NPF ticket but lost. That was his last attempt to enter the state assembly.
The funeral service of the former NLA speaker will be held on March 14 at 10 am at his private residence in Purana Bazaar. His mortal remains will be buried in his native village, Yachem, on March 16 after a funeral service in Longleng town on March 15.
