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Students carry the coffin of Imtikumzuk Longkumer to a cemetery in Ungma village of Mokokchung district, on Sep. 25.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, Sep. 25 (EMN): Politicians, ministers and legislators, and civil society leaders and church leaders and ordinary citizens from far and near converged at the Aonglenden in Ungma village to pay their last respects and say farewell to departed legislator Imtikumzuk Longkumer on Tuesday.
The respect and love for the departed leader was displayed as people sat through nearly four hours of the state funeral service that was accorded to him.
Minister Metsubo Jamir described Longkumer as a person who was not only a dedicated leader but a humble and simple soul who served his people. “In his zeal to serve, he had often times sacrificed his treatment, to serve the people, his party and his constituency,” he said.
‘Late Imtikumzuk brought fame and glory to our respected village, Ungma and the land of Suyim. It is to my knowledge that till his last breath, he did not bring discredit to his family, his village, his constituency or to the Ao people in general,” Jamir said.
Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Vikho-O Yhoshu; ministers Temjen Imna Along Longkumer, Tongpang Ozukum; and advisor Imnatiba also spoke at the funeral service. Condolence messages were received from Nagaland Governor Padmanabha Acharya, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton; former chief minister and governor Dr SC Jamir; legislators and bureaucrats, among others during the programme.
Imkongzenla, widow of Imtikumzuk Longkumer, said that her husband had been a dedicated father to his children and a loving husband to her. She said he was driven by the passion to serve the people and that he had achieved his dream to do so. She thanked the people of 26th Aonglenden constituency who gave him the opportunity to be their leader twice.
The demised leader’s daughter Wangshimongla; his father Onentiba; and brother O Tinu Longkumer also spoke on behalf of the family.
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Policemen accord the 21-gun salute.[/caption]
Rich tributes were paid by representatives from the People’s Democratic Alliance government and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party; and the departments of Sericulture, Excise; and community organizations Ao Senden, AKM, Ungma Village Council, Soyim Students’ Union; besides In-laws, clans and friends.
In paying tribute to the departed soul, the Ungma Village Council has given the name ‘Chiter’ to the late Longkumer for his dedication and service to the people.
Rev Dr Noklen, Pastor, Ungma Baptist Church presided over the funeral service.
