Late CM Chang (Morung File Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | October 12
Veteran politician and Nagaland Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Justice & Law, CM Chang passed away on October 12 at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK).
Chang, who had earlier tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted in the hospital on October 4, passed away at around 2:40 pm.
Though COVID positive, a doctor from NHAK said the Minister died of respiratory failure. With underlining ailments of diabetes, and hypertension, it was informed that he went into respiratory distress on October 11 leading to sepsis shock.
He was 77 and is survived by his wife, 5 sons and 5 daughters, and grand children.
Early life
Chongshen Mongkosungkum Chang, popularly known as CM Chang, was born on April 1, 1943 at Noksen Village, Tuensang division, informed the members’ profile of 15th Lok Sabha.
He received his early education from Government Middle School, Noksen and passed high school from Government High School, Mokokchung in 1959.
Before graduating from St Edmund’s College, Shillong in 1969, he also served as the President of Noksen Village Student’s Union (1960-62) and Chang Student’s Conference (1962-64).
He joined government services as Investigator (Class-II gazetted), Art & Culture in 1971 and soon joined the Nagaland Civil Service as an Extra Asst. Commissioner (Class-I Gazetted), Kohima, in 1979.
As a civil servant, he served as EAC Peren in 1986, Sub Divisonal Officer (C), Tuli, 1983; Revenue Officer Dimapur, 1983, SDO (C) Shamator, 1988; Deputy Secretary (Education) 1989; ADC Dimapur, 1990; Deputy Secretary (PHED), 1992; Deputy Secretary (Home), 1993; Joint Chief Electoral officer, 1994; Director, Youth Resources, 1995; DC Wokha, 1997 and Additional Secretary, Youth Resources and Sports, 1998.
He was later promoted to the post of Secretary, DYRS in 1998 and inducted into IAS in 1999.
During the intervening period, he served as president of Chang Gazetted Officer's Association 1991-96; Tuensang-Mon Gazetted Officer's Association 1993-96; and Nagaland Civil Service Association 1994-96.
Political career
In 2003, Chang took voluntary retirement and began his political career as vice president of the Naga People’s Front from 2003-2012.
Chang lost the contest to his first-two election in 2003 and 2008 before finding success in the national platform when he was elected as the lone Member of Parliament from Nagaland in the 15th Lok Sabha with the Naga People’s Front Party in 2009.
In 2013, he returned to the State and won the Noksen Assembly seat and held the portfolio of Education in the last NPF government.
He served as a Vice President of NPF from 2003 before shifting gear and joining NDPP, under which he retained his assembly seat in 2018 election.
He was appointed as Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Justice & Law in the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government till the time of his death.
Ravi, Rio lead State in paying homage
Meanwhile, Nagaland Governor RN Ravi and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio led the State in mourning the demise of the minister.
In his message, Ravi eulogised late Chang as “an able Administrator, a prominent Parliamentarian, a Minister and a hugely popular public figure,” who will be remembered for his contribution to the State of Nagaland.
“In his demise, not only has the Chang community lost a tall leader but is a loss for the entire State and the Country,” Ravi said, while conveying condolences on behalf of the people of Nagaland.
Condoling his death, CM Rio said Chang was “a pillar of strength, a true gentleman and a fatherly figure to many.”
Rio added that late Chang was “like a brother, a trusted advisor and a loyal associate.”
“His demise has indeed created a huge vacuum not just for the ENPO people but for the Nagas as a whole. He has made significant sacrifices for the welfare of society and his contributions in the service of the state will be remembered for all times to come,” Rio said in the condolence message addressed to the deceased Minister’s wife, Alemla Chang.
Taking to Twitter, Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang said late Chang was “A principled gentleman who contributed diligently for welfare of the people.” Conveying condolences to the bereaved family, Zeliang stated that he was privileged to be a friend of late Chang since 1982 when the latter served as EAC Peren.
