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Dimapur, Feb. 13 (EMN): Former Nagaland legislator A Imtilemba Sangtam passed away on Thursday at around 7:40 am at the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research, Dimapur after a prolonged illness. He was 74.
Imtilemba Sangtam — born on December 25, 1945 — is survived by his wife, a son and two grandchildren. He was a postgraduate from Cotton College in Guwahati and contested the Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections three times: from 52 Longkhim Chare constituency in Tuensang district.
He had served as minister of Transport, Labour and Employment, Evaluation and Statistics from 2003-2008; and minister of Cooperation, Relief and Rehabilitation from 2013-2018.
A send-off service will be held at 11 am on February 14 at his residence at Model village, 5th mile in Dimapur. His mortal remains will be buried at Chimonger village in Tuensang district, Sangtam’s birthplace.
Rio condoles
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has mourned the ‘untimely demise’ of Sangtam. “He was a young student leader involved in various students’ public activities, was a sincere government servant, a prominent politician and public leader who had a genuine concern for the people, especially the weaker sections of society. He had contributed immensely to the socio-political advancement of Nagaland, especially for eastern Nagaland areas,” Rio said in a condolence message.
Recalling the departed leader as a “colleague and a close friend as we worked together during two different terms”, the chief minister stated that he still has many memorable experiences shared with Sangtam.
“He had a friendly personality and was always good-natured. He made friends across the political spectrum and was well-loved one and all. Imtilemba Sangtam’s death is a great loss to the people of Nagaland, and the void created by his death will be difficult to fill. I send my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family; and pray that God grant them solace and strength in their hours of bereavement,” read the message.