First YTC President & NSCN Steering Committee member passes away

P Hopong Yimchungrü

P Hopong Yimchungrü

NSCN (IM), Yimchungrü Union extend condolences

Dimapur, January 16 (MExN):  P Hopong Yimchungrü, the first President of Yimchungrü Tribal Council (YTC) and member of the Steering Committee, NSCN (IM) passed away on January 15 at his residence in Showuba, Dimapur.

On Saturday, condolences poured in from NSCN (IM) Chairman, Steering Committee Convener and others.

NSCN (IM) Chairman, Q Tuccu on January 16 mourned Hopong’s demise and stated that he was “honoured and blessed to have known him personally…”

Tuccu described late Hopong as a ‘brave and courageous man, a man of integrity, who always advocated for the righteous path.”

Born on March 7, 1910 in Aipongrii, Tuensang, late Hopong was appointed as DB on April 18, 1947 and served till 1949 under Mokokchung, Tuccu informed in his condolence message.

He also served as a teacher at Sangto School from 1950-55. He was the first YTC, President from 1948-56. Hopong was also reportedly the first person from Eastern Nagaland who went to CBCNEI, Guwahati for Church affiliation in 1951.

On March 21, 1955, he acted as the first war administrator during the Indo-Naga war at Huker village.

He was appointed as Angh Yimchunger on March 21, 1956 from Sainis village. He was also the President, Patkai State High Court in November 1960. He was President, Honking Government from 1967-70.

Appointed as CCM, NSCN/GPRN on May 21, 1989, Hopong was the Founder and Advisor of Tuensang Affairs Council, NSCN/GPRN in 1993 and appointed as Tatar from 1997 to 2007.

He was then appointed as a member of the NSCN (IM)’s Steering Committee on September 15, 2008 till his demise.

“The Naga nation expresses heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and offers prayer to the departed soul to rest in eternal peace,” Tuccu said in his message.

Meanwhile, Steering Committee Convener Ashiho Asoumai also expressed sadness at Hopong’s demise. “He was a contemporary of Mr. AZ Phizo. He was a person who defied his age and gave his everything for the Naga nation. Our Almighty God blessed him with many years serving the Naga political cause. With his patriotic spirit he lived for many years to inspire the younger generation with his revolutionary zeal and political commitment on the rights of the Naga people as a nation,” Asoumai stated in his condolence message.

“Today, the NSCN joins his family and Yimchungrüs as we pay our highest respects to Mr Hopong,” he added.

“Though he is no longer with us, his legacy remains and he will forever be remembered for his contributions towards the Naga nation. May God bless his soul! Kuknalim!,” said Moba Chang, Member of Collective Leadership and Convener of the Eastern Naga National Workers’ Union (ENNWU)  said on January 16.

YUD: Mourning the loss, the Yimchungrü Union Dimapur (YUD) on Saturday stated that, “In his demise, Eastern Nagaland and the Nagas in general has lost a great soul, a fearless revolutionary leader who had stood firm and fought against all odd for the freedom of Nagas till his last breath.”

Though the vacuum created by his demise would be difficult to be filled, his bravery and the legacy left behind by him will be remembered and carried on by generations, YUD President M Biremong Yimchunger and General Secretary R Aaron Yimchunger stated in a condolence message.

The Union also conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed for late Hopong’s soul to rest in peace.