File Photo: Advisor to SCERT, IPR and Village Guard Nagaland, Toshi Wuntung. (Photo:@MyGovNagaland/Twitter)
Governor Ravi 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 arrived at Dimapur Airport in the afternoon of July 2.
The Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur and Commissioner of Police, Dimapur will receive the mortal remains of late Wungtung and make arrangements for transporting it to his mother's residence at Purana Bazaar. Cabinet Ministers and State Officials will be present at the airport.
On July 3, a State funeral will be held at 8:00 am on July 3 at Purana Bazar, Dimapur near Zion Hospital to pay respect and homage to the departed leader.
After the conclusion of the State funeral, the mortal remains of late Wungtung, if weather permits, will be airlifted by a State Helicopter from Dimapur to Shamator.
DC Tuensang and SP Tuensang will make necessary arrangements at Shamator, an official release informed. The last rites of late Wungtung will be held at Shamator thereafter.
Meanwhile, a prayer service will be held at Nagaland House, New Delhi at 6:00 pm today where Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and colleagues in New Delhi will attend and pay respects. The service will be presided by the Chaplin of Naga Christian Fellowship.
Huge legacy
An alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, Wungtung was an ardent activist as well as a scholar and has served 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.
Governor Ravi leads State in paying tributes
Meanwhile, Nagaland Governor RN Ravi Governor led the State in mourning the demise of Wungtung and in paying tributes to the departure leader.
Expressing shock over the “sudden untimely demise,” Governor Ravi in a condolence message stated that Late 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.
Meanwhile, Nagaland’s 2-term Member of Parliament, (Lok Sabha) Tokheho Yepthomi took to Twittter to offer his condolences.
“Deeply saddened by the demise of Toshi Wungtung, Hon'ble MLA and Advisor, Nagaland. A great loss for the people of Nagaland. My deepest condolences to his family. I pray that he rest in peace,” he tweeted.
Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton also took to twitter to offer his condolences and tweeted: “A very sad day for us! My deepest condolences to the friends, family, and supporters of Advisor Shri Toshi Wungtung Ji. Deeply saddened by his passing. He was a compassionate leader whose farsightedness, kind words, and deeds affected numerous lives. May his soul rest in peace!”
Minister of Higher Education & Tribal Affairs and State President, BJP Nagaland Temjen Imna Along also mourned the demise saying that the State has lost a “ dynamic, courageous & an able leader.”
“…We have lost a dynamic, courageous & an able leader. His passing away is a huge loss for the Naga Society. May the Almighty give strength to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace,” he posted on Twitter.
Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland, S Pangnyu Phom also remembered late Wungtung as “a good orator, historian and a great commander in all fronts.
“Deeply saddened by the demise of Lt. Shri Toshi Wungtung, Hon'ble Advisor, GoN.A good orator, historian and a great commander in all fronts. The State have lost a great soul & a dynamic leader, the gap he created will take time to be filled.Bhai! Rest In Eternal Peace,” he tweeted.
