EMN
Dimapur, February 27
Various State political leaders cutting across party lines today condoled the death of Nagaland Legislative Assembly Special Secretary, A.E. Lotha. A.E. Lotha was undergoing a treatment for severe Pneumonia at Dispur Hospital in Guwahati where he passed away this morning. He was 55 and leaves behind his wife, a daughter and two sons. His mortal remains was brought to Kohima by road and reached Kohima at around 8 p.m. tonight.
His funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at his official residence near Indoor Stadium Kohima, after which his mortal remains will be taken to his native village in Shaki under Wokha district for the last rites.
P.B. Acharya
Governor P.B. Acharya condoled the death of late Lotha, saying the State has lost an able administrator and sincere officer. In a condolence message to Loyivani Lotha, wife of A.E. Lotha, Acharya said, “I am deeply grieved to hear about the sudden demise of your beloved husband. At this hour of grief, I and my wife convey the heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray that Almighty God will grant strength to bear the irreparable loss.”
T.R. Zeliang
Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang as Leader of the 12th House recalled that A.E. Lotha had performed his onerous responsibilities splendidly, with dedication and efficiency.“A.E.Lotha, a law graduate, had joined the Nagaland Assembly Secretariat as a Research Officer in the year 1988. By sheer dint of hard work and merit, he rose from that position to become the Secretary of Nagaland Legislative Assembly in July, 2008, and then he became Special Secretary to the NLA with effect from 1st November, 2014,” Zeliang said, adding, his untimely death is a great loss to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, to the Lotha community and the Nagas in general.
Y. Patton
Home Minister Y. Patton said, the news of A.E.Lotha’s untimely demise has made him devastated today. He said, the void created by his demise will be difficult to fill.
Patton hailed Late Lotha who had been a sincere and honest official handling all his works efficiently and diligently whether it was in the Assembly Secretariat or during Assembly Sessions. “In my long career as representative of my people, I had always found him knowledgeable and he was always ready to provide valuable legislative and constitutional advice to me. He has also been polite, upright and attentive to legislators whenever the latter sought his valuable guidance with regard to Assembly related matters.”
“My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. May God give you the comfort and peace that you seek and may the soul of your loved one rest in peace,” Patton said.
Chotisuh Sazo
Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Chotisuh Sazo said, “His thorough knowledge of parliamentary practices and procedure was indeed inspiring. Simplicity and honesty, probity and transparency, humility and amiability remained his watchwords throughout his life.”
“He will always be remembered for his sterling qualities and his diverse contributions towards the upliftment of Nagaland Assembly Secretariat. He had upheld the highest values of personal and public integrity and was also endowed with self reliant and has demonstrated courtesy and goodwill to all associated with him.”
Chairman of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) NPCC & Member, AICC, K.V. Pusa said, “I have closely associated with him for 20 years as an MLA during which he has risen from a dedicated junior officer to the top post as Special Secretary Nagaland Legislative Assembly. I found him to be a very honest and straight forward God fearing officer who dedicated all his life in the service of NLA in particular and Naga people in general.”
G.Kaito Aye (Leader of the Majority NPF Legislature Party) expressed shock and pain at the ‘tragic’ demise of A.E. Lotha, a native of Shaki village under Wokha district, who passed away after a brief illness.
“I on behalf of all the members of majority NPF Legislature Party offer our deepest condolence to Mrs. Avani Lotha and his three children in these hard and uncertain times, I pray to the Almighty to give solace to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace.”
BJP MLA, Dr TM Lotha described Late AE Lotha as one of the most efficient and sincere officers in the Assembly Secretariat, saying his admirable temperament, sweet tone and liberal attitude had endeared him to all his subordinates, friends, legislators and relations.
“He was highly respected by legislators and Assembly employees alike and was regarded as a farsighted officer by anyone who ever worked with him.
Later, AE Lotha’s contributions to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly during his years of dedicated and selfless service were many and varied. His contributions to this company will not be forgotten.”
Former Deputy Speaker, NLA Ralanthung Yanthan, in a message said, “He was designated as Special Secretary just a couple of months back and was to retire only somewhere in 2020. In his death we have lost a dynamic, competent and capable with a lot of initiatives, simple and honest and an intelligent officer. His death is gravely untimely.”
The Ex-Parliamentarian Association of Nagaland (EPAN) expressed shock and grief at the sudden and untimely demise of late Lotha. A.E Lotha son of Lt. Konao Lotha was a humble and dedicated officer who served the deptt. since 1988 with all sincerity. “His passing away is not only a loss to the deptt. but to all of us who knew him as Ex-members of NLA irrespective of party affiliation.”
Lotha Community of Dimapur, Chairman T.L. Merry said, the news of the untimely demise of late A.E. Lotha was received with great shock and sorrow.
“The Lotha community of Dimapur led by all rank and files of LHD join the wife and children of the deceased and the bereaved family members at this grievous moment and send our heartfelt condolences and pray that God give them strength and solace to overcome the grievous loss. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace.”
Minister Social Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs Nagaland, Kiyanilie Peseyie, has deeply shocked over the sudden demise of A.E. Lotha. Kiyanilie stated, “I personally experienced his dedication and sincerity to his duties and associated with him during my ten years period as speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.” The minister further stated that, A E Lotha’s faithful service and hard work have contributed immensely to the Assembly and his contribution for the welfare of the legislators will be remembered and cherished by all. “It is a great lost of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in particular and the peoples of Nagaland in general,” he added. Kiyanilie further conveyed a heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family members and prayed to God to grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss.
