NLA Speaker, late Vikho-o Yhoshü (File Photo)
• Nagaland Government declares 3 days State Mourning
• State Funeral at Kohima, final rites at Kigwema on January 1
Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 30
Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Vikho-o Yhoshü passed away today at a private hospital in Mumbai where he was undergoing treatment for some time.
68 year old Yhoshü is survived by his wife and 10 children.
According to family sources, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party's (NDPP) representative from Southern Angami-I Assembly Constituency breathed his last around 10:30am on Monday.
Yhoshü was elected as the Speaker of 13th NLA on March 13, 2018. He also served as Advisor to Government of Nagaland before the appointment.
He was consecutively elected from the 14-Southern Angami-I Assembly constituency from 2008 and held various responsibilities like – Adviser, IT&TE; Chairman, Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN); and Parliamentary Secretary for Housing, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry and Mechanical Division of PWD.
From Kigwema Village, Yhoshü did his early schooling from Government High School, Kohima and passed Matriculation in 1968. Thereafter, he did his Pre- University from Cotton College, Guwahati in 1969; B.Tech (First Class with Honours) from Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad in 1974. He also obtained Certificate in Industrial Engineering and Management (CISM) from the School of Mines in 1976. He was awarded with Mine Manager’s First Class Certificate of Competency (FCC) in All India Competitive Examination in 1976.
Yhoshü joined government service and served as Assistant Manager in Coal India Ltd, (Government of India undertaking) from 1975 to 1980. He was also the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) (Geology and Mining) from May 1980 to March 1996, OSD (G.&M) equivalent to Addl. Secretary & Ex- Officio M.D, NSMDC from April 1996 to August 2002; OSD (G & M) equivalent to Secretary Government of Nagaland and Ex- Officio Managing Director, NSMDC in Nagaland Civil Secretariat from September 2002 to August 2007.
The NLA Speaker’s mortal remain is expected to reach Dimapur Airport at 12:30pm on December 31. There will be an official reception at the airport after which his body will be escorted to his official residence in Kohima. The State funeral service will be held at his official residence at 11:00am on January 1, 2020 after which his body will be taken to Kemipfuphe Ground, Kigwema for the general public to pay their last homage.
The Nagaland State Government has declared three days of state mourning throughout Nagaland from December 30 to January 1, 2020.
“During the period of State Mourning, the national flag will be flown at half mast throughout the state. There will be no official entertainment during this period,” a notification from the Chief Secretary informed.
Gov, CM others express grief
Nagaland Governor, RN Ravi expressed shocked at Yhoshü’s untimely demise. The Governor expressed condolences to the late Speaker’s family and stated that the people of Nagaland have lost a tall and a prominent leader.
Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio stated that Yhoshü “was a brilliant, kind-hearted and highly capable leader.” “His zeal and enthusiasm in rendering his selfless services towards the resolution of the decades old Naga Political Issue can never be forgotten and the vacuum created by his demise will be difficult to fill,” he added.
Deputy CM, Y Patton described him as a visionary politician, “who with his simplicity earned him the respect of his colleagues and the people.” “Nagas have lost a fine technocrat and a public leader,” Patton added and shared his grief with the bereaved family.
Member of Parliament to the Lok Sabha, Tokheho Yepthomi stated that Yhoshü was a “humble and dedicated person who strived to make our state a better place.” “His work and dedication for his people enabled him to win the trust of his constituency electorates. His absence will be felt for times to come,” the MP added.
NLA Deputy Speaker, Sharingain Lonkumer, in a press release stated that the members of the NLA are shocked at his demise.
“In his demise the State has lost a tall and a charismatic political leader, which is difficult to fill in,” the Deputy Speaker stated.
