In honour of late Toshi Wungtung, Nagaland Police according guard of honour with gun salute during the state funeral held on July 3. (DIPR Photo)
Dimapur, July 3 (MExN): Nagaland Advisor for Information and Public Relations, SCERT and Village Guards Toshi Wungtung was accorded a state funeral in Purana Bazaar, Dimapur on Saturday.
Wungtung, who breathed his last in New Delhi on July 1, will be laid to rest in his hometown of Shamator in Tuensang district on July 4.
Wife of the deceased legislator, Lipokla Toshi Wungtung eulogized her late husband as her soul mate, confidant, and a man with highest caliber. Stating that she was honoured to be his wife, Lipokla added that she shared a lifetime of love with her husband and would cherish the memories forever, according to a report from the state DIPR.
She said that her husband was a God fearing man who had high respect for the elders and always maintained good relations with family members and siblings. She also expressed gratitude to the Government of Nagaland for arranging a state funeral in honour of her husband and to all present for comforting them during their time of grief and sorrow.
During the funeral service in Dimapur, Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Sharingain Longkumer offered condolences on behalf of the NLA. He also highlighted the many roles and responsibilities that the deceased legislator took up in his lifetime. Among others, late Wungtung served as 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), and was also notably associated with the Nagaland Environmental Protection and Economic Development (NEPED) and UNICEF as State Co-ordinator for HIV/AIDS.
He was also member of the ENPO’s negotiating team in the Bilateral-Talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India and Convener, Border Affairs (International), Natural Resources Management and Environmental Protection Committee.
Nagaland Minister for Planning & Co-ordination, Land Revenue, and Parliamentary Affairs Neiba Kronu conveyed condolences on behalf of the Government of Nagaland and said that the deceased leader was irreplaceable. Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang also spoke at the funeral and eulogized late Wungtung as a smart and promising leader whose immense contribution for the cause of the Nagas would be remembered.
In his speech, Convenor, PDA and President, NDPP, Chingwang Konyak said that late Wungtung worked tirelessly for the socio- economic and political development of Frontier Nagaland.
Speaking on behalf of the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union (ENLU), Minister for Health and Family Welfare S Pangnyu Phom said his demise was a colossal loss for the Nagas. He said that late Wungtung, who was still serving as the secretary general of ENLU, was an asset and his absence would be deeply felt.
Others who spoke during the funeral included IPS Retd I Toshitsungba Aier, late Wungtung’s brother Dokiu Kecham, and nephew Robin on behalf of family, ENPO members and Yimchunger Union Dimapur.
State Chaplain, Rev TW Yamyap shared the word of God and also offered the benediction. Guard of honour was accorded at the end of the state funeral service.
Following the funeral service, the mortal remains of the deceased legislator was airlifted to Shamator where the last rites and funeral will be held on Sunday.
