Governor, CM and other pay tribute
Dimapur, July 17 (MExN): Oditenba Phom, veteran leader of Eastern Nagaland and an Ex-MLA, died at his hometown Longleng on July 11.
He was elected as a Member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly under 50 Assembly Constituency, Longleng in 1969.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya has expressed his grief over the demise of the departed leader.
“Late Oditenba Phom was a prominent social worker and a great human being who had dedicated his life for the welfare of the people of Nagaland in general and State in particular,” Acharya said in his message.
His contributions, sacrifices and service to the people for the development of the State will be remembered by all and his demise is a great loss to the people of Nagaland in general and Phom community in particular, he added.
In the message addressed to the wife of the deceased leader, C. Akokla Odi, the Governor further conveyed his heartfelt condolences the bereaved family members.
“I pray to the Almighty to grant strength and solace to overcome the grief. May the departed soul rest in peace,” he added.
Chief Minister: While sharing his condolence, Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu also described late Oditenba Phom as an elderly gentleman, who was straight-forward and never failed to express his “honest and unbiased opinions on issues facing the State and his people.”
Calling him a “pioneer Naga politicians” Dr Shürhozelie further said that Naga leaders in the 1960s went through many hardships but they made tremendous sacrifices to take up the cause of the Naga people with the Government of India.
“We have come thus far because of the efforts of our past leaders who gave their best to take the Naga people forward in the national mainstream of the nation, like Oditenba,” he noted.
Not only the Phom people but the entire people of Nagaland have lost a leader who wanted people to see a better tomorrow, the Chief Mnister said adding that even after retirement from active politics, he continued to serve his people in various capacities till he breathed his last.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Nagaland, I convey my heart-felt condolence to you and your family members of the departed and pray to the Almighty to grant you solace and comfort at this hour of grief,” Dr Shurhozelie said in a condolence note addressed the wife of the departed leader, C Akokla Odi.
“May the departed soul rest in eternal peace.”
ENPO: The Eastern Nagaland Public Organisation has also expressed its deep pain to learn about sudden demise of Late Otitenba Phom. Describing him as a senior leader of Eastern Nagaland, ENPO in a condolence note said that Late Otitenba had “a deep love and concern for the people of Eastern Nagaland.”
He was also one of the signatories of ENPO state demand memorandum in the year 2010, it said.
“All people who knew him greatly respected him, and for which, the ENPO shall always cherish the memory of his sincere dedication for his people,” it added.
“The ENPO conveyed sincere sympathy to the bereaved family members and prayed for the departed leader to rest in eternal peace,” stated the press note appended by ENPO President Khoiwang Konyak and General Secretary Manlang Phom.
