DIMAPUR, MAY 16 (MExN): Glowing tributes were paid to Late Major (Retd) Tadingpou Gangmei, Tatar of Zeliad (ZLR) Region, NSCN (IM), who had led AZ Phizo to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1956.
Regarded as a steadfast Naga nationalist leader, Major Tadingpou Gangmei breathed his last on May 15 early morning. He was 86. His funeral service was held at Zeliangrong Baptist Church, Dimapur on Monday. Hundreds gathered at the funeral to pay their last tribute.
NSCN (IM) Chairman, Isak Chishi Swu, in a condolence message, said the service rendered by Late Tadingpou to the “sacred cause of the nation would always be remembered.” Swu’s message was read out by Qhevishe Chishi, convener NSCN (IM) Steering Committee.
Dr Rev VK Nuh, Chairman, Naga Archive and Research Centre (NARC) described Tadingpou Gangmei as “one leader among many recognized to be a star and a noble man of the Naga who stood truthfully for the Naga nation.”
“Major Tadingpou Gangmei has shaped a legacy that the future generations may reap in joy of what he has sown in sweat and tears,” Dr Nuh stated.
Chairman of Zeliangrong Village Council, Dimapur remembered Tadingpou Gangmei as a true gentlemen, a fatherly figure who had good rapport with all the people in the Village.
Late Tadingpou joined the Naga National Council in 1956. He was then appointed as Inspector Border Intelligence by FGN in 1958. Further, in 1965, Tadingpou was appointed as executive officer in the First Brigade and promoted to Major in 1967. He was nominated as Consultative Body member to NSCN (IM) in 1999, following which he was appointed to Tatar in August 2006. He served in the same capacity until his demise.
Late Tadingpou is survived by his wife, Mrs Hiasuangle and six children. The NSCN (IM) in solemn respect of the deceased leader declared May 16 as a Naga national holiday.
