DIMAPUR, APRIL 29 (MExN): The mortal remains of senior NSCN (IM) leader Angelius Paiza Shimrah who died in the early morning hours of April 29 was received by the Collective Leaders at CHQ, Hebron and accorded with full military honors by the Naga Army. “In this grievous hour at the untimely demise of Late Angelius Paiza Shimrah from amidst us, in whose destiny untold pain and sorry upon his loved and close ones is felt, the GPRN deeply mourns. The loss of a man in that of his stature deprives not few but the Nagas at large, a man with elements of a being encompassing qualifying qualities; that of a leader, a statesman, a patriot, a compatriot, a comrade, a teacher, an instructor, a father, a brother and that of a friend”, a condolence message issued by the MIP stated.
During the funeral service conducted by Rev Sekshim Kasar, General Secretary Council of Nagalim Churches, where more than a thousand people congregated, attended by representatives of Naga Hoho, NSF, NPMHR and other NGOs besides all rank and file of the NSCN (IM), several leaders reflected late Shimrah’s life as that of a man of moral and principled integrity and bade him farewell, informed the MIP.
The Chairman Isak Chishi Swu recalled his experiences with Late Shimrah as a person who never faltered nor failed in his dedicated services, of which no compatriot at any time was ever dissatisfied. He lamented that, we being mortal beings on our life’s journey, are destined to depart from this world some day as our deceased patriot. It is indeed a great loss for us all to have lost a dedicated, devoted and committed leader, he said. “The vacuum caused by his departure will be very hard to fill”. Citing, late Shimrah’s commitment, devotion, dedication, tolerance, perseverance and patience as a symbol of true Naga patriot, the Chairman reflected on how late Shimrah, though was not given any assignment for two-three years when he initially joined the national service persisted on with his resolve to serve the Naga nation. “We are ceaselessly indebted to his selfless sacrifices deserving respect, honor and thankfulness”, he added.
The General Secretary Th Muivah lamented at the loss which had been God’s plan. He grieved that Shimrah’s departure was a huge loss to our nation for he was a personality presenting the strength of the nation. He said, “a person like him, who can write, think and act is very few to find. His loss to us is like the fall of a huge supporting pillar to our Naga nation”, Muivah said that during times of hardships, crisis or difficulties late Shimrah was a person who responsibly faced the challenges to bring the nation through. “He was a person who proved himself well, practically. It was because of a person like him who stood as our strength, not that we were proud or afraid. He was a person with a combination of all experiences who stood the trials of life’s insurmountable challenges. A person like him who is hard to find among a million has left us alas. May we meet in our after life”, he concluded.
The Convener, Steering Committee Qhevihe conveyed that his earliest association with late Shimrah was during 1979 at Eastern Nagalim. He observed that late Shimrah never wavered in his committed duties nor was any comrade dissatisfied with his services throughout his career in the national services, till his last. The Convener asserted of being the living witness and said that late Shimrah thought, spoke and worked completely for the Naga nation. Working with the Steering Committee together while late Shimrah was the Secretary, Qhevihe conveyed that he had never come across any weaknesses in him. “Among Nagas, he is also one unique gifted patriot in whose loss we are unfortunate. May our Almighty God bless the Nagas with someone like him again”, he concluded.
Kilo Kilonser A. Puni who also spoke at the funeral service recalled their association in Eastern Nagalim. He mentioned their return from China via Lainung village during which villagers addressed him (late Shimrah) as ‘Longvibu man’ meaning a great successful warrior. “His loss has been a great loss to our nation”, he mourned. He testified that late Shimrah was a humble and noble person who even washed the plates of his subordinates. He was a God fearing person who could be trusted by every one at any time, he added.
RH Raising, Secretary Steering Committee testified and upheld that though late Shimrah had expired physically he remained alive and will remain alive with us as his foot prints, finger prints and history subsisted on. He reflected that late Shimrah was a person that with stood national trials and authored historical events. He played crucial roles in the 1978 ‘martial law period’, the 1988 ‘national crisis’, operation Salvation and Oinam post attack which were historic events in the Naga history. He also bravely participated in the first confrontation with the Indian army led by then Captain VS Atem at Namthirok, though he was in the civil set up.
The GPRN expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed that the Almighty God console the aggrieved at their time of distress and pain.
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