KOHIMA — Former
minister Kejong Chang passed away on Thursday morning at Zion Hospital,
Dimapur. He was 101.
Sources said that he passed away at around 3.30 am. A
six-time member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), Chang was the treasurer
of NDPP Tuensang Sadar-II until his death.
He was born on May 7, 1923, at Hakchang village in Tuensang
district. At the age of 26, Chang was first appointed as Interpreter (Dobashi)
for Tuensang Frontier Agency under the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) and
was subsequently promoted to Head Interpreter, Dobashi. In 1957, at the age of
thirty four, he was appointed as Honorary Captain of the newly constituted
Village Guards Organisation.
During his career, he received various awards in recognition
of his outstanding service, including four Governor's Commendation
Certificates.
At the age of 43, he was promoted to second-class political
assistant to the deputy commissioner, served in this capacity for seventeen
years, and retired at the age of 69. After his retirement, he was reinstated as
advisor to the governor of Nagaland for three years (1991 to 1993).
He was first elected to the NLA on Congress ticket from 54
Tuensang Sadar-II Assembly Constituency in 1998. He won two more elections, the
2007 bye-election and the 2008 general elections, on a Congress ticket.
One year later, he won another bye-election on an NPF
ticket, followed by victories in the 2013 and 2018 general elections on an NPF
ticket.
Chang has also served as a leader in various social and
religious organisations, such as executive chairman of Chang Baptist Association,
treasurer of Tuensang Town Baptist Church, advisor to Chang Tribal Council,
founder member of Confederation of Chang Student’s Union, etc.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, in his condolence message,
expressed grief at the demise of Kejong Chang.
He recalled how Chang was elected to the NLA on six
occasions, an indicator of his popularity among the masses.
“Indeed, he was not only a colleague to me but also like an
elder brother to whom I looked up. I found him to be a simple man, yet a visionary
leader who had a long-standing affinity with the people, especially those from
the grassroots. Throughout his career, he tirelessly worked hard to uplift
people belonging to the marginalised category of our society. He was also known
for treating everyone equally with kindness and compassion.
“In his demise, the Chang community in particular and the
Nagas, in general, have lost a father figure and a guardian. The emptiness
created by his demise will be difficult to fill. It is my solemn prayer that his
good legacy will continue and that he will be remembered for all the sacrifices
and the contributions he had made towards the state's welfare,” Rio said.
He conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family
members.
