Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 17 (EMN): Naga People's Front (NPF) vice president, Zaku Zachariah Tsükrü breathed his last on Sunday morning at a private hospital in Kohima following a brief illness. He was 70.
Tsükrü, a student activist-turned politician, is said to have been a staunch Naga nationalist who had been associated with the Naga National Council. He had served as the president of the Naga Students’ Federation during the early 1970s and later on held the influential post of the president of the Angami Public Organisation as well before he entered into full-time politics.
Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral service of late Tsükrü, which was held at his private residence, and paid rich tributes to the departed leader.
Former chief minister and NPF president, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu described late Zaku Tsükrü as a true nationalist who gave his best for the welfare of the Naga people since his student days.
Acknowledging the services he rendered to the Naga society and particularly to the regional political party (NPF), Liezietsu stated that Tsükrü had led the party with all his experiences and in his ‘firm belief in the goodness of the Naga people and their future’.
“He never failed the call of duty for his people, he stood tall among us and carried out his responsibilities honourably, anytime and whenever duty called”, Liezietsu emotionally said, adding, “In his death, we have lost a pillar in the society.”
Others who spoke at the service included Rajya Sabha MP & NPF secretary general KG Kenye, NPF Kohima Division president Gonei-u Sirie, NSF president Kesosul Christopher Ltu, and representatives of Zheri Krotho Kohima and St. Joseph Catholic Church Viswema.
Born in 1947, late Zaku hailed from Viswema village under Kohima district and leaves behind his wife, two sons, one daughter and a grandson.
