DEF Kohima accords ‘Guard of honour’ during the state funeral for Dr Imtiwapang Aier in Kohima on January 8. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | January 8
The state government today accorded state funeral to Dr Imtiwapang Aier, MLA and former speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), who passed away on January 7 in Dimapur.
After the state funeral which was held The Heritage, Kohima, the mortal remains of Dr Imtiwapang Aier was routed to Sungratsu village in Mokokchung district for the last rites.
NLA speaker Sharingain Longkumer spoke on behalf of the NLA and extended condolences to the bereaved family members. The speaker said that he would cherish their fond memories and Dr Aier’s noble deeds.
Others who spoke during the funeral service included Dr Aier’s brother-in-law and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) chairman TR Zeliang. Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Neiba Kronu and Rural Development Minister Metsubo Jamir as well as the Presidents of Sungratsu Senso Telongjem Kohima and Kohima Aoer Telongjem (KAT) also spoke at the service.
They mentioned the contributions and achievements of the deceased legislator both at the national and international level and noted that the departed leader was a man of principle, devotion, and loyalty and his demise was a great loss to the Aos and the Nagas.
Kiehungle, wife of Imtiwapang Aier in her speech thanked each and every individual for their love and affection while I Toshitsungba Aier spoke on behalf of the family.
Condolence messages from Nagaland’s Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio were also read out at the service.
The funeral service was chaired by Khruohituonuo Rio, Secretary in-charge NLA while word of God and benediction was pronounced by Rev TW Yamyap Konyak, State Chaplain.
Guard of honour was done by DEF Kohima.
Dr Aier’s mortal remains will be laid to rest in his native Sungratsu village in Mokokchung district on January 9 after a brief funeral service.
Brief account of Dr Imtiwapang Aier
Dr Imtiwapang Aier was born on January 22, 1973 to Sashitoba Aier and Pokienla Jamir in Mokokchung, and was the eldest of five siblings.
Dr Imtiwapang Aier and his wife Kiehungle were blessed with 5 children; 1 son and 4 daughters.
Dr Aier entered into Government service as lecturer at Kohima Science College. Jotsoma (2000-2002), was a Guest Lecturer at Nagaland University (NU) during 2005-2006: served as Project Assistant, DST, New Delhi (2005-2006); and was a Senior Research Fellow, DST, New Delhi from 2008-2011.
Dr Imtiwapang Aier entered into politics by contesting successfully into the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly in 2013 as a Congress (1) candidate from 23-Impur Assembly Constituency and was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Geology and Mining and was later elected as Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
He was re-elected to 13th NLA on the NPF party ticket in 2018 elections.
