Former Nagaland Minister  Dr TM Lotha no more

Former Nagaland Minister Dr TM Lotha. (Morung File Photo)

 

CM leads state in paying tributes

 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 26

 

Former Nagaland Minister Dr TM Lotha passed away after a brief illness on midnight of March 25 at Dr Motsuo Memorial Hospital in Wokha Town.

 

He was 68 and survived by his wife, five sons, and one daughter.

 

Hailing from Longsa village under Wokha district, Dr T Myingthungo Lotha was a professional doctor before joining active politics.

 

He passed his matriculation from Government High School, Wokha in 1968 and completed his Pre-University (10+2) from St Anthony College, Shillong under North Eastern Hill University.

 

Thereafter, he completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Dibrugarh University in 1976 and joined the government service in 1977.

 

He joined Government Service as an Assistant Surgeon in 1977. Later, in 1981, he did his Diploma in Maternity and Child Welfare from Calcutta University.

 

He first entered the electoral politics in 1987 contesting as a then Naga National Democratic Party’s candidate from 38 Wokha Assembly Constituency and lost the election. 

 

Lotha, however, entered the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) two years later in a Nagaland People's Council (NPC) in 1989. 

 

Thereafter, he was elected again in 2003 and 2013. During those tenures, he held the portfolios of Housing and Fire Services, Home and Medical and Treasuries & Accounts, Relief and Rehabilitation.

 

He last contested election to 13th NLA in 2018 as a Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate but lose the contest to Dr Chumben Murry of Naga People’s Front from the 38 Wokha AC.

 

Apart from his professional and political career, Lotha was a student leader and was a founding member of Naga Hoho and its Political Affairs Committee.

 

Reports quoting family sources informed that Lotha’s funeral will be held at his residence in Tsumang Colony, Wokha at 10 AM on March 27.

 

More details are awaited.

 

CM leads state in pay tributes

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio led the state in paying tributes to departed leader.

 

Expressing his sadness over the demise, Rio said that late Lotha has served the people of Nagaland in various capacities as a student leader, medical doctor and later as a politician.

 

“In his death we've lost a good leader. Deepest condolences to his family,” he tweeted.

 

Y Patton: The Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland and BLP Leader Y Patton, meanwhile, has expressed sadness over the sudden demise and described Lotha as a “seasoned and refined politician as well as a dedicated public leader” who was down to earth and was always easily accessible by the common people.

 

He spent his entire life in rendering public welfare services not only as a politician but also as a prominent physician,” he stated condolence message released via Media Cell of Deputy Chief Minister’s Office.

 

As the Chairman of Political Affairs Committee from 2008-12, Lotha had committed his full time and energy towards finding an early solution to the protracted Indo-Naga Political issue by pushing forward some core issues as a facilitator, he noted.  

 

“In his untimely demise, the Lothas in particular and the Nagas in general have lost a great and visionary leader creating a huge void which will be difficult to fill,” he added.  

 

Meanwhile, Patton along with the State BJP legislators and functionaries conveyed their heartfelt condolences to wife and family members of the deceased leader and  and invoked God's blessings to grant them comfort to bear the loss in fortitude and prayed that the departed soul rest in eternal peace.

 

NLA Speaker: In his condolence note, NLA Speaker, Sharingain Longkumer described Lotha as “a dynamic and dedicated man who worked sincerely for the welfare and upliftment of his Constituency and the people of Nagaland.”

His death is a great loss to the Nagas in general and the Lotha community in particular and the void created by him is difficult to fill, he said. 

 

“I, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Members of the Thirteenth Nagaland Legislative Assembly, convey our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. M. Mhalo Ezung, their children and the other family members,” the Speaker added.

“May the Almighty God grant solace and comfort, at this hour of sorrow to the bereaved family. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace.”

 

TR Zeliang: With deep pain, I mourn the demise of Dr TM Lotha, the present Leader of opposition and former Chief Minister TR Zeliang stated in a condolence message.

I came to know him as we contested from the same party, NNDP in 1987 and since then we became “close friends and continued to do so despite difference in Political Party affiliation,” Zeliang said.

 

“As elected Members, we shared various platforms together and I found him to be an asset in the struggle for Naga Political identity. He was one among the Naga leaders who seriously fought and did his best for early solution to Naga Political problem,” he noted. 

 

During this time of sorrow, I along with my family pray that the Almighty God grant peace and solace to the bereaved family members particularly his lady-wife and children, he added.

 

Naga Hoho: Naga Hoho in its condolence described Lotha as a resolute person who “sincerely worked for bringing peace and Naga Political Settlement.” 

 

During his life, he served the Naga people in various capacities with utmost sincerity. His passing away is a great lost for the Naga people, it said.

 

He was a founding member of Naga Hoho and Political Affairs Committee.

 

“In this moment of grief and sorrow, the Naga Hoho conveys its deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and pray that God Almighty grand peace and comfort to his near and dear ones. May the departed soul rest in the eternal home of our Heavenly Father.”

 

NDPP:  Expressing shock over the demise, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) termed late Lotha as an affable person who showed his leadership qualities “in the bold, prompt and considered decisions he took all throughout his political career.”

 

“In his demise, the Naga people in general and the Lotha community in particular have lost a dynamic, prominent leader, and the void created by his death will be difficult to fill,” NDPP noted in a condolence message issued by its President Chingwang Konyak.

 

“The rank and file of the NDPP joins me in conveying our heartfelt condolences to you and your grieving family members. We pray to the Almighty to grant solace and comfort to you and your near and dear ones during this hour of bereaving,” it added.

 

“We pray that the departed soul rest in eternal peace.”

 

Ex-PAN:  In its condolence message, the Ex-Parliamentarian’s Association Of Nagaland (Ex-PAN) said that late Lotha “was a sincere, efficient, humble and realistic leader, who had served his entire life for the welfare of Public.”

 

“His death is not only a loss to his family members and his constituency but also a loss to the Naga people,” stated the association in the message issued by its President Joshua Sumi.

 

“At this moment of grief, it is our prayerful wishes that the Almighty God gives solace and comfort to the bereaved family members and may the Almighty rest his soul in eternal peace.”