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Kohima, Nov 11 (IANS) Veteran Naga politician and five-time MLA Imkong L. Imchen died at a private hospital in Guwahati on Tuesday after a brief illness. He was 75 years old.
Imchen, who was also an advisor to the Government of Nagaland (Information and Public Relations, and Soil and Water Conservation Departments), is survived by his wife, four sons and two daughters.
According to family sources, Imchen, a native of Mangmetong village in Mokokchung district, suffered a heart attack on November 8 and was admitted to a hospital in Kohima.
After initial stabilization, he was airlifted to Guwahati on 10 November for further medical treatment. He had underlying kidney complications and diabetes, and had undergone dialysis before his condition deteriorated.
Chairman of Mangmetong Village Council said his body was being taken to Indisen village in Dimapur.
The state government has announced that a state funeral will be held at his official residence at Old Ministers Hill in Kohima on November 12, followed by traditional rituals at Mangmetong.
Imchen’s public life spanned student activism, tribal bodies, party leadership and five terms as a member of the Nagaland Assembly. He served as President of AO Students Conference, General Secretary of Naga Students Union, Vice President and later President of AO Senden, President of District Congress Committee and Vice President of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee.
He was elected five times from Koridang constituency, first in 2003 as an independent, then in 2008, 2013 and 2018 on a Naga People’s Front ticket, before winning on a BJP ticket in 2023.
He served as a cabinet minister in previous governments.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister and BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda, acting Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and several other leaders separately condoled the demise.
“Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Imkong L. Imchen, senior BJP leader and MLA from Koridang constituency of Nagaland,” Nadda said in a post on his X handle.
He said, “He was a leader who was always connected with the people and worked sincerely for the society. His passing is a great loss to the party and the state. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and well-wishers in this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.”
In his post on Twitter, the Governor said: “Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Imkong L. Imchen, Senior MLA and Advisor, Information & Public Relations and Soil & Water Conservation, Government of Nagaland. A dedicated leader who served the people with commitment and integrity. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.”
In his condolence message, Chief Minister Rio said that Imchen was not only his colleague but also his dear friend.
The CM said, “I knew him as a warm, cheerful and articulate person who was never afraid to express his opinions and always stood up for what he believed in. He was a visionary leader who had the rare ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Throughout his political journey, he worked tirelessly and selflessly for the welfare of the people.”
Rio said that in his demise the Ao community and the Naga people have lost a stalwart leader and the void left by him will be difficult to fill.
–IANS
SC/VD