Naga legend dies in London

Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 24

A pioneer of the ‘Naga Freedom Movement’ is dead. Yongkongngangshi Longchar, a close associate of AZ Phizo, breathed his last in his London residence at 8:30 IST this morning after elapsing into a coma a few days ago. He was 83 and suffering from complications in his spinal nerves and heart. 

His remains will not be brought home. Mourning relatives in Dimapur today said Yongkongngangshi had earlier conveyed his desire that neither his bones nor ashes should be brought back to a ‘factionalized land’ and till the day Nagas gets freedom. A staunch believer of unity, he opposed tooth and nail the division among the Nagas fighting for their cause and remained independent of any faction. Of the yesteryears’ undivided Naga National Council, he joined the resistance against India in 1956 and was deputed to England as a ‘Kilonser’ the following year, members his kin said. A condolence message issued by the FGN however states that the Naga leader went abroad in 1957 to work with Phizo and reached London only on September 10, 1962. The octogenarian also served as General Secretary under the political set up of the NNC for a brief period. “He sacrificed his entire life for the cause of the Naga Freedom Movement till his last breath,” a relative said. Yongkongngangshi never married. He was of the conviction that since he was fighting for the Naga cause he would not marry and have children. 

Some of his relatives are planning to attend his funeral at London. The date of the funeral has not been confirmed but will probably be conducted after a week’s time. Back home in Nagaland, relatives will be deciding on the date for a memorial service which is to be later notified to the people.  

Born to Martsüden Longchar in 1923 at Sungratsü Village under Mokokchung district, Yongkongngangshi received his early education at Impur School, Impur now known as Clark Memorial School. After graduating from St Anthony’s College, Shillong he served as Assistant Headmaster in the people’s instituted Naga National School at Mokokchung. He joined the school in 1952. Back then, the public had said they would not attend any educational institution run by the Indian Government. After the Centre banned the school, the situation led Yongkongngangshi to join the NNC. 

Keeping guard over him in London are his niece Reverend Nangshila and her daughter Dr Abenla, a British Government appointed medic who practices in Manchester.