Morung Express News Dimapur | November 9 Former Minister K Yamukam, one of the tallest leaders from Nagaland, passed away at a private hospital on evening of November 9. He was in his late 80s. A pioneer from the eastern region, Yamukam was born in 1929 at Sangphur village, under Shamator Circle of Tuensang district and first took the plunge in politics by contesting from 58th Shamator-Chessore Assembly Constituency. Consequently, the veteran congress leader was elected four consecutive times (1989, 1993, 1998 & 2003) to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Under the erstwhile Congress government, he had served as the Minister of State Soil & Water Conservation, Sericulture (1993-1998), and later as the Minister for Horticulture, Sericulture, Relief and Rehabilitation (1998-2003). He last contested state election in 2008 in an Indian National Congress ticket. According to a report, he was instrumental in the establishment of many of the Yimchunger Civil Society Organisations as well as the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation. Before joining politics, he served as a Dobashi under the ADC Shamator from 1952 and was later appointed as Head Dobashi in 1976. He was also a mediator in border disputes turbulent 1950s. He is the father of Toshi Wungtung, MLA and Advisor IPR, SCERT and Village Guards. CMs leads others in condoling departed leader Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio led the state in mourning the demise of departed leader K Yamukam. “We have lost a people’s leader and a fatherly figure who will be remembered fondly,” the CM conveyed in a condolence message. He further extended “heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for eternal peace to the departed soul’ on behalf of the Government of Nagaland, the party rank and file of the NDPP and on his own behalf. TR Zeliang: TR Zeliang, Leader of Opposition, Nagaland Legislative Assembly in a condolence message conveyed that his death “is a great loss not only to the Yimchunger but the Nagas in general.” He also extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family and pray that God may grant eternal peace and solace to the departed soul. Tokheho: Tokheho Yepthomi, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha in a condolence message stated that the demise left a social and political vacuum for the people of the state and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family of the departed leader and pray that God provide them solace in this difficult time. CL John: CL John, MLA, Nagaland Legislative Assembly in a condolence message conveyed his deepest sorrow and shared his sympathy with the bereaved family in this hour of grief. “It is our fervent prayer to our Almighty God to grant peace and solace to the departed soul,” he stated in a message. DCC Tuensang: The District Congress Committee Tuensang also mourned the death of veteran politician and conveyed its heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace. NDPP: The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party in a condolence note stated that in his passing away the Yimchungers in particular and the Nagas in general have lost a great leader and an octogenarian. The NDPP President Chingwang Konyak expressed deepest condolences to the family members. Deputy CM: The Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland Y Patton in his condolence message stated that late Yamukam’s contributions to the Naga society was immense and a deep void would be left by his demise which would be difficult to fill. He also expressed his deepest condolences to bereaved families, near and dear ones.
