Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 6
A pioneer of the ‘Naga Freedom Movement’, even in death Late Yongkongangshi Longchar remained unconquered steadfast in his resolve that his mortal remains should not be brought back to his homeland to be surrendered to India. As a mark of respect for this wish, family members and well-wishers from across the Naga Homeland joined in at different places to coincide with Late Yongkongangshi’s funeral service at Westbourne Park Baptist Church, London held today at 10:30 am (GMT) after which he was laid to rest at the West London Crematorium at Kensal Green.
Yongkongnangshi Longchar, more popularly known as Yongkong and a close associate of AZ Phizo, breathed his last in his London residence on April 24 after elapsing into a coma a few days before. He was 83 and had been suffering from complications in his spinal nerves and heart.
Mourning relatives at Dimapur coinciding with the Funeral Service at London today spoke out about how Yongkong had earlier conveyed his desire that neither his bones nor ashes should be brought back to a ‘factionalized land’ and till the day Nagas gets freedom. A staunch believer of unity, Yongkong had opposed tooth and nail the division among the Nagas.
Several speakers spoke of the unflinching commitment that Yongkong had for the cause of the Naga nation. “I have been sent on a mission by the Naga people. Until I fulfill this, I cannot return home”, he reportedly told Congress leader I. Imkong when the latter had gone as part of the delegation to bring back the remains of Late AZ Phizo. “Our leader Yongkong sacrificed everything he had for the cause he believed in”, Imkong said in his brief address during the service held at IMC organized by the Sungratsu Union Dimapur.
Family members also shared about how they had pleaded with him many times to return home during his last days. “However for him Nation came first. All other things were secondary”, a family member told the gathering at Dimapur. A similar programme was also held at the State Academy Hall, Kohima.
Later during the service, the title of ‘MAINSHILONG’, meaning resolute and unwavering in the Ao dialect, was bestowed on Yongkong by the Ao Asetkong Union of Dimapur. Among those who attended the Dimapur service included CLP leader I. Imkong, Naga Council President Savi Leigise, senior citizens, public and Church leaders besides a horde of family members and well-wishers.
Born to Martsüden Longchar in 1923 at Sungratsü Village under Mokokchung district, Yongkongnangshi joined the resistance against India in 1956 and was deputed to England as a ‘Kilonser’ the following year. The octogenarian also served as General Secretary under the political set up of the NNC for a brief period. Yongkong never married. He was of the conviction that since he was fighting for the Naga cause he would not marry and have children.
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