Former minister N Theyo passes away

Nagaland

30th August 2019

Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 29

Former minister and chairman Nagaland Peace Centre (NPC) Netsütso Theyo popularly known as N.Theyo was passed away this evening at around 8:40 PM at Oking Hospital Kohima after a brief illness.

In 1963, Theyo married Teswüle Natsunuo, daughter of the late Ritsonyü Natsunuo, GB of Thenyizumi Village. Together they have left behind 7 children – 3 sons and 4 daughters; and 27 grandchildren.

The send off service will be held on August 30 at 10:00 AM at Chakhesang Baptist Church, Kitsubozou, Kohima. Born in the year 1937, Theyo hailed from Thenyizu village of Phek district.

Elected from Chozuba-II Assembly Constituency to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, he was appointed as deputy minister in-charge of electricity in May 1966. He was inducted as minister for Transport and communication, community development, tribal development, blocks and town and country planning in 1972.

Before entering into active politics, Theyo served in various capacities as president, Chakhesang Students’ Conference (Now Chakhesang Students Union) - 1959-61, President Chakhesang Students’ Union Shillong 1961-62, assistant headmaster P.H.E. School, Phek 1962-63.

Bio-data of Netsütso Theyo: 1930-2019

Netsütso Theyo was the first Christian from Thenyizumi Village. He was also a former Minister and a member of the First Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He was the Vice-President of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC-I) from 1983 to 1995, and its President from June 1995 to June 1997. He was also a member of the All India Congress Committee (I) from 1983-93.

He was born on May 1930 to Late Yotsü Theyo (father) and Late Vetsolü (mother).

Popularly known as ‘Mr N Theyo’, he completed his matriculation from the Kohima Government High School, and pursued his Bachelor of Arts from St. Edmund’s College, Shillong in 1962. From an early age Theyo was deeply concerned and involved in solving socio-political issues and participated in many extra-curricular activities when he was student.

He became a prominent youth leader, holding several positions of responsibility as President of the Kohima Government High School Students Union from 1955-56, President of the Chakhesang Students Conference from 1959-61, General Secretary and Vice President of the Kohima District Students Conference in 1960-61, and President of the Naga Students Union Shillong from 1961-62. He also served as the Assistant Head Master, Phek HE School from 1962-63.

In the year 1964, he successfully contested the elections as a candidate of the Nationalist Party, which was later renamed as the Naga Nationalist Organisation (NNO). He was elected to the first Nagaland Legislative Assembly from Chozuba II Constituency, Phek District and was appointed as Deputy Minister for PWD and Electricity in May 1966. He was also the youngest candidate in the 11 member, three-tier cabinet that was headed by the late T.N. Angami, who had taken charge after Shilu Ao, the first Chief Minister of Nagaland.

He was elected again in the by-election of 1971 as a NNO candidate from the same constituency of Chozuba II, and was appointed Cabinet Minister for Transport & Communication, CD & TD Block and Town & Country Planning in the Ministry headed by Hokishe Sema. When the NNO merged with the Indian National Congress Party, he joined the Congress party in 1976 and ran as their candidate from the Chozuba Constituency in the General elections of 1982.

Theyo was also the General Secretary of the Ex-Parliamentarians Association of Nagaland, a life-member of the Indian Red Cross Society, Nagaland Branch and Chairman of the Nagaland Peace Centre, Kohima.