Former MLA Yamakam no more

Eastern Mirror Desk Dimapur, Nov. 9: K Yamakam, former legislator from Shamator-Chessore constituency in Tuensang district, passed away at Zion Hospital in Dimapur on Nov. 9 evening after a prolonged illness. He was 88. The Indian National Congress leader is survived by his wife, four sons, four daughters and 19 grandchildren. It was informed that the mortal remains of Yamakam will be taken to Shamator after a brief funeral service on Nov. 10 near Zion Hospital at 12 noon. Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio has expressed sadness at the demise of the four-time MLA, and father of Toshi Wungtung, the present advisor to IPR, SCERT and village guard. “Late Shri Yamakam was known to my family since many decades back when my father-in-law was serving as an administrative officer in Tuensang. During that time, they worked closely together. In later years, I was fortunate to have been colleagues with late Yamakam in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly over the last few terms and I personally found him to be a leader who had deep concern for all sections of the people. “He was passionate about doing everything possible to elevate the welfare of the people from the weaker sections as well as remote and under-developed regions. I can recollect many memorable experiences with him and I must put on record that he was one of the most respected leaders as he was a man of integrity and commitment. In his demise, we have lost a people’s leader and a fatherly figure who will be remembered fondly,” the CM said. In the 1950s, Yamakam founded the Sangphur Student’s Union and served the Yimchunger community as executive member of Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC) and latter as advisor to YTC. He also served as Dobashi and later went on to become Head Dobashi in the 70s. He was consecutively elected four times, from 1989 to 2003, to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly during which time he served as Minister of State for Soil & Water Conservation, Sericulture (1993) and Minister for Horticulture, Sericulture, Relief and Rehabilitation (1998). Rio said he was fortunate to have been a colleague to Yamakam in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly over the last few years.