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Dimapur, April 10 (EMN): Several prominent personalities, including Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and various organisations mourned the demise of prominent author Kaka D Iralu, who passed away at the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research, Dimapur on Thursday evening. He was 64.
Iralu was a prominent Naga journalist, writer and author of books like "Nagaland and India, the Blood and the Tears" and "How Then Shall We Live?"
“I'm saddened by the passing away of Kaka D Iralu; a prominent author and voice of Naga political movement. His death is a big loss to the Nagas. Through his writings he gave countless voices which needed to be heard; stories needed to be told. My condolences to the bereaved family,” Rio wrote on Twitter.
In his condolence message, the opposition leader described the deceased as a patriotic soul, an intellectual and a man who stood for the Naga cause till his last breath. “We have lost a significant figure whose desire for liberation of the Naga people was manifested through his exemplary life and the void created by his demise will be difficult to fill. Although his physical presence is no more, his books and commentaries on the Naga political issue and other state of affairs will live on to tell the story of a man who contributed so much during his lifetime,” it read.
“During this time of pain and sorrow, I along with my family pray that the Almighty God grant peace and solace to the bereaved family. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace,” it added.
The FNR has expressed shocked at the demise of Iralu, describing his life as “an epic, a grand tale of uncompromising Naga spirit”; “voice of Naga rights, the sturdiest of nationalism, and the firmest of friends”.
“In his Tears and Blood, Kaka remains the voice of the voiceless and reminds the readers the humiliating and untold suffering of the Nagas, all because of loving one’s motherland. Once again, Kaka, who as a child was carried by his mother in the jungle when villages were burnt down, branded onto the consciousness of many the idea of being a Naga. His record as one of the champions of Naga nationalism will remain an inspiration,” read the condolence message.
“Death did not wrestle with him. He has passed through the hills and plains of our homeland unmarked and standing firm! Go in peace, Kaka!” it added.
The Naga Hoho has expressed grief at the demise of Iralu, describing him as a “prolific writer, a real Naga patriot, and historian and above all a very humble person”.
“He was a man with deep knowledge of Naga political history who has authored some iconic books like – Nagaland and India: The Blood and Tears; and The Naga Saga that has spread over the globe. He was also a bold, outspoken man with genuine convictions who rendered selfless service to the Naga Nation till his last breath. True to his word, Lt Kaka always believed in inalienable rights of the Nagas for sovereignty,” read the condolence message.
During his life time, Lt Kaka actively participated in various issues and contributed a lot towards strengthening the position of Naga Hoho for which we are ever grateful. Nagas throughout the length and breadth of Naga areas will always cherish his noble sacrifice and remember his deed in the annals of Naga history. Nagas have lost a true son of the soil and the vacuum created by him will be irreparable,” it added.
The Naga Hoho conveyed its deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and prays that God Almighty grand peace and comfort to his near and dear ones, and his soul rest in eternal peace.
The NNC/FGN, through a condolence sent by Gen. (Retd.) Viyalie Metha, mourned the death of Iralu. Describing him as a nationalist and a popular writer, the group stated that “he joined Naga National service in 2015 as a Tatar with due recommendation and was inducted as a Kilonser without portfolio on 27th April, 2015 to carry out an intensive mission of the Naga Nation.”
“He was then elevated into the portfolio of Alee Kilonser, Federal Government of Nagaland on 8th January, 2018. Thus he faithfully served the Nation till his last breath. He was a true patriot. His untimely death was a great loss for the Naga people as a whole and a vacuum created to the Nation. Yet his true sacrifice and patriotic service rendered to the Nation shall always remain alive in the history of the Naga Nation,” the condolence message read.
“May his soul eternally rest in peace, and may the Almighty God grant peace and solace to the bereaved family members and relatives,” it added.
The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) has expressed shock at the demise of Iralu, who they described as “a man of strong integrity and commitment in voicing the Naga political movement, he exercised his intellectual power to defend the sovereign identity of the Naga nation and stood his ground unwavered”.
“Notwithstanding our differences in political perspective, we respect his integrity in upholding the political struggle of the Nagas. NSCN acknowledge him as a sensible Naga national and to die at this early age is a great loss for the Naga people. Our thought goes to his bereaved family members, and expresses our deepest condolences. May our Almighty God bestow them the strength and comfort as they face this grief! May Kaka D Iralu’s soul rest in peace in the hands of God!” the condolence message read.
The vice-president of NSCN/GPRN (Reformation), Inno Akato Chophi, through MIP has expressed extreme pain at the unfortunate demise of late Iralu. He described the deceased as a prominent Naga historian, political leader, author, intellectual, true Naga patriot in his own rights and an “unbiased Naga thinker who always called 'Spade a Spade'”.
"The late leader leaves behind his legacy as a dynamic political activist and a true social reformer for his fellow Nagas to cherish on. In his demise, the Angamis in particular and the Nagas in general has lost a true and daring Naga leader, a frontrunner and a torchbearer whose place will be very difficult to be filled in,” read the message.
“My heart deeply grieves at his departure which is beyond comprehension and I pay my revolutionary salute to my compatriot and pray to the Good Lord to kindly rest his soul in eternal peace and also to provide solace to his family members and friends during their time of grief,” he added.
Several civil society organisations, including Angami Public Organisation, Khonoma Rüffüno Dimapur Unit, Dimapur Naga Students' Union, Chakhro Angami Kuda Students' Union, Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam,Manipur and Nagaland), South Nagas Union of Nagaland State, Chakhesang Public Organisation, Medziphema Town Mechü Krotho, Nagaland Gorkha Association, NDPP 5 Ghaspani-II A/C, and Oriental Theological Seminary have also condoled the sudden death of late Iralu.