Dimapur, June 13 (MExN): The Western Sümi Baptist Akükühou Küqhakulu (WSBAK) has mourned the demise of Er Khetovi K Assümi, Retired Chief Engineer, PHED who passed away on June 13.
Describing late Assumi was a man of faith who has helped the people at various levels; WSBAK Executive Secretary Rev Dr Phughoto Sema stated that it was a great loss for the Sümi community and the society to lose a person of such high morale and stature. It said that late Assumi had committed his life for the betterment and development of the society and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.
Lok Sabha MP Tokheho Yepthomi also mourned the passing of late Assumi, eulogising him as “upright and dedicated officer,” who toiled to make water accessible to various nook and corners of the state.
“He took over as the Chief Engineer of PHED in 1999 when the Department was in a bad state of affairs... It was under his initiative that the then Planning Commission of India sanctioned Rs. 43 crore for PHED Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). This initiative reduced the workforce of 3,782 work charge employees in the Department, which is why the PHED department is able to function the way it does today,” Tokheho stated in a condolence message.
Under his able leadership of the department the Government of Nagaland could provide water for the first time to five districts of Dimapur, Mon, Zunheboto, Mokokchung and Phek, he added.
His passing away leaves a very large void in Naga society, but his work for the people will always live on for times to come, Tokheho stated while conveying condolences to the bereaved family.
Meanwhile, PHED Chief Engineer and HoD Repang Longkumer remembered late Assumi as a towering personality who literally rebuilt PHED and led the Department for ten years with exceptional success. “His dedication and commitment to duties is legendary. His contribution to the Department can be seen even 11 years after his retirement from government service. He was a mentor for many of us and he will be missed by the PHED fraternity forever,” Longkumer stated in a condolence message. He also conveyed condolences to the bereaved family on behalf of the department and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.
