Nagaland Former Minister Imtilemba Sangtam passes away

Imtilemba Sangtam.  (Morung Photo by Special Arrangement)

Imtilemba Sangtam. (Morung Photo by Special Arrangement)

Imtilemba Sangtam. (Morung Photo by Special Arrangement)

 

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | February 13


Former Cabinet Minister, A Imtilemba Sangtam passed away this morning at the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research after a prolonged illness.  He is survived by his wife, son and 2 grand children. 


According to family sources, Late Imtilemba’s mortal remains will be kept at his private residence in Model Village, 5th Mile Dimapur till Friday morning. After a brief send off programme in the morning, his mortal remains will be taken to his native village Chimonger where he will be laid to rest, the sources added.


The final funeral service most probably will be held on February 15, it was informed.


 Hailing from Chimonger Village under Tuensang District, Imtilemba represented 52 Longkhim Chare Assembly Constituency in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly for many years.   


He served as the Minister for Cooperation, Relief & Rehabilitation and MARCOFED during the previous TR Zeliang-led government.


He was elected twice to represent the people under the 52 Longkhim-Chare A/C- first in the 2003 Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections and then in 2013 elections.


He contested the elections to the 13th NLA in 2018 on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket from but lost the same to Muthingnyuba Sangtam of the Naga People’s Front (NPF).


Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio expressed his sadness at the former Minister’s death and stated that he was a young student leader involved in various students' public activities, was a sincere government servant, prominent politician and public leader who had a genuine concern for the people, especially the weaker sections of society. 


“He had contributed immensely to the socio-political advancement of Nagaland, especially for Eastern Nagaland areas. Late Imtilemba was a colleague and a close friend as we worked together during two different terms, and I still have many memorable experiences which we shared together,” he added. The CM further expressed his condolences to the bereaved family members. 


Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, Y Patton; Minister of Higher & Technical Education & Tribal Affairs and State BJP President, Temjen Imna Along, as well as the BJP State Unit condoled Imtilemba’s demise. 


In a condolence message shared on Twitter, Patton expressed his shock and described the former Minister as “a man of unwavering character & sincerity.”


 “I convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace!” 
Likewise, Imna Along in a tweet said that he was “saddened to know about the passing away of a renowned personality of Nagaland Politics” and remembered Late Imtilemba as a “dedicated and committed leader.” 


“May his soul rest in peace and may our Lord bless and comfort his family in these difficult hours,” he added. 


In its condolence note, the BJP Nagaland stated that late Imtilemba would be “remembered for his contribution in the State’s Governance.”