Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio speaking at the prayer service held in remembrance of MLA and Advisor Toshi Wungtung at Nagaland House, 29 Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road, New Delhi on July 1.
Governor Ravi, CM Rio leads State in mourning, paying tributes
Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 1
Member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Advisor, Toshi Wungtung passed away today at BLK Hospital, Delhi. He was 56 and is survived by his wife.
The Advisor to SCERT, IPR and Village Guards, Nagaland was reportedly undergoing treatment for post-COVID-19 complication at a private hospital in New Delhi.
A native of Shamator under Tuensang district, Wungtung entered the NLA for the first time in 2018 when he was elected as a representative from 57 Shamator & Chessore Assembly Constituency.
It was informed that the mortal remains of late Wungtung will arrive at the Dimapur Airport in the afternoon of July 2.
The Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur and Commissioner of Police, Dimapur will receive the mortal remains and make arrangements for transporting it to his residence at Purana Bazaar, Dimapur. On July 3, a State funeral will be held at 8:00 am in his residence to pay respect and homage to the departed leader.
After the State funeral, the mortal remains of late Wungtung, if weather permits, will be flown from Dimapur to his native Shamator.
DC Tuensang and SP Tuensang will make necessary arrangements at Shamator, an official release informed. The last rites will be held at Shamator thereafter.
Meanwhile, a prayer service was held at Nagaland House, New Delhi at 6:00 pm on July 1, with Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and colleagues in New Delhi in attendance. The service was presided by the chaplain of Naga Christian Fellowship.
Illustrious legacy
An alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, Wungtung was an ardent scholar, having a passion for social activism, serving the society in various capacities.
Among others, he was president of Naga Students’ Union Delhi; General Secretary and Spokesperson of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO); Spokesperson and Advisor Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC); Member Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR); and Member Consultative/Advisory Committee, Naga Students’ Federation (NSF).
Academically, he received his Master of Arts and Master of Philosophy degrees from JNU and de-registered as a Senior Research Scholar (PhD). During the period, he was a Students’ Representative to the Academic Council, JNU and Senior Research Fellow, ICSSR (Indian Council of Social Science Research).
Wungtung also served as a Research Associate for NEPED (Nagaland Environmental Protection and Economic Development); Field Officer, State Pollution Control Board (Nagaland); Member of Nagaland State Electricity Board Tribunal; UNICEF State Co-ordinator for HIV/AIDS; and Member Governing Body, NEZCC, Government of India.
At ENPO, he was member of the Negotiating Team in Bilateral-Talks between Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India and ENPO for Social Economic and Political empowerment of Eastern Nagaland and Convener, Border Affairs (International), Natural Resources Management and Environmental Protection Committee.
He was also a Member of the NSF’s Border Area Research and Drafting Committee on Legal Interpretation of Article 371 (A) in regard to Land and Resources and 16 Point Agreement.
State leaders pay tributes
Meanwhile, Nagaland Governor RN Ravi Governor led the State in mourning the demise of Wungtung and in paying tributes to the departed leader.
Expressing shock over the demise, Governor Ravi in a condolence message stated that Wungtung worked “tirelessly and selflessly” for the better future of the youth.
He dedicated his life to building a peaceful and prosperous Nagaland, he said, further describing late Wungtung as “a visionary leader whose contributions towards upliftment of the relatively less developed people of eastern Nagaland will be remembered for years to come.”
“In his demise, the country and the state has lost a promising and dynamic young leader,” Ravi added.
“I on behalf of the people of Nagaland and my own behalf, convey our heartfelt condolences. I pray to God to bestow the needed fortitude to the family members to bear this tragic loss and grant them solace at this hour of enormous pain,” the Governor said in his condolence message addressed to Lipokla Wungtung, the wife of late Wungtung.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio described Wungtung as “a leader who stood for the masses and reflected the aspirations of the people.”
Actively involved with various social organisations from an early age, Rio said that he had regarded Wungtung not only as an Assembly colleague but also as a “brother and a close advisor,” their association going back to the days when Wungtung was a scholar in JNU.
“He had a keen interest in various areas impacting the Nagas, especially in developing border areas, promotion of Naga arts and culture, and environment conservation… The vacuum created due to his demise will be difficult to fill. However, his legacy will continue to live on through the many lives he touched,” Rio said.
“My wife joins me in conveying our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. It is our humble prayer that Almighty God will give them strength and courage to bear the irreparable loss, he added.
Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Tokheho Yepthomi also joined Ravi and Rio in condoling Wungtung’s passing.
A compassionate and humble person, ever ready to work for the people, his demise has left a void which would be difficult to fill, Yepthomi said. “I offer my deepest condolences to his family in this most difficult hour. I pray that God give them the courage and faith to bear this loss. May his soul rest in peace,” he added.
