Imkong L Imchen, Advisor for Information and Public Relations and Soil and Water Conservation, passed away at 75; a state funeral will be held in Kohima.
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MOKOKCHUNG — Advisor for Information and Public Relations, and Soil and Water Conservation, Imkong L Imchen, passed away at Apollo Excelcare Hospital in Guwahati on Tuesday. He was 75.
Hospital sources said he died at 1:58 pm. He is survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters.
A native of Mangmetong village in Mokokchung district, Imchen suffered a heart attack on November 8 and was admitted to Naga Hospital Authority Kohima. After initial stabilisation, he was airlifted to Guwahati on November 10 for further treatment. He had underlying kidney complications and diabetes, and underwent dialysis before his condition deteriorated.
Related: Advisor Imkong L Imchen airlifted to Guwahati for treatment
The chairman of Mangmetong Village Council said his mortal remains were being taken to Indisen village in Dimapur on Tuesday evening, where they would lie in state. The state government has announced that a state funeral will be held at his official residence at Old Ministers’ Hill, Kohima, on November 12 at 9:30 am, to be followed by traditional rites in Mangmetong.
Imchen’s public life spanned student activism, tribal bodies, party leadership and five terms in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He served as president of the Ao Students’ Conference, general secretary of the Naga Students’ Federation, vice president and later president of Ao Senden, president of the District Congress Committee and vice president of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee.
He was elected from the 28 Koridang constituency five times — first as an Independent in 2003, then on Naga People’s Front tickets in 2008, 2013 and 2018, before winning on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket in 2023. He served as a cabinet minister in earlier governments and was the sitting Advisor for Information and Public Relations, and Soil and Water Conservation. In June 2025, Mangmetong village marked his 75th birthday and 25 years as an elected representative.
Governor, CM and others condole
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla said he was saddened by Imchen’s passing, describing him as a leader who served the state in various capacities and whose death represented a loss for Nagaland. He conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said he was deeply pained by the news and recalled a long association with Imchen. Describing him as a warm and outspoken colleague who worked for the welfare of the people, Rio said the Ao community and the state had lost a senior leader and extended condolences to the family.
“He was a visionary leader, who had the rare ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Throughout his political journey, he worked tirelessly and selflessly for the welfare of the people,” Rio stated.
Speaker Sharingain Longkumer said Imchen was a towering political figure whose career was marked by commitment to public service and community leadership. He highlighted Imchen’s tenure across multiple ministries and his earlier roles in student and tribal organisations. He offered condolences on behalf of the Assembly.
The department of Information and Public Relations said it was deeply saddened by the death of its Advisor. The department noted his interest in its functioning, his guidance in ongoing reforms and his engagement with officers and staff. It conveyed condolences to the family stating that Imchen’s “mentorship and warm accessibility earned him the respect and affection of all who had the privilege to work with him.”