Late T Kikon
Governor Ravi, CM Rio lead State in paying tributes
Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 25
Former Interim Body Members (IBM) and ex-Minister of Nagaland, Tsenlamo Kikon passed away in Wokha Town on July 25. He was 88.
Late Kikon was one of the four ex-IBMs from Lotha community from 1960-1963 and was one of the few surviving members of the interim body.
According to information provided by the NLA Speaker, starting his political career as a representative from Bhandari Assembly Constituency in 1964, he was elected five times to the NLA till 1998. During the period, he had held various portfolios in the Nagaland State Government.
Late Kikon was also one of the longest serving Treasurers of the Naga People's Front (NPF).
He retired from active politics in 2008 and has authored several books including his autobiography, "Beyond the Banyan Tree,” published in 2019.
Meanwhile, a funeral service in memory of Late Kikon was held today at Tsumang ‘A’ Colony, Wokha.
Advisor Mhathung Yanthan and Advisor Mmhonlumo Kikon, among others, paid tributes to the departed leader at the service.
Mmhonlumo, earlier informed that the Wokha district (1973) was inaugurated during the Ministership of Late Kikon, one of the tallest Naga leaders.
“The 1st IBM from my constituency…, a writer of many relevant books, Tsenlamo Kikon left us this morning for the heavenly abode! Such a tragic loss for me! May his soul RIP!,” the Advisor tweeted.
Nagaland Governor RN Ravi, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, meanwhile, led the State paying rich tributes to the Late Kikon.
Governor: Governor Ravi, a condolence message, expressed his sadness over the demise of one of the ‘Founding Fathers of Nagaland.’
He described late Kikon as a ‘great visionary leader’ who under the most adverse circumstances risking his life and that of his family members, worked “untiringly and selflessly for building a peaceful and prosperous future of the people of Nagaland.”
In his demise, India has lost a tall and prominent leader and the people of Nagaland one of the founding fathers of the State, he added.
“I on behalf of our countrymen and women including the people of Nagaland and my own behalf, convey our heartfelt condolences,” the Governor said in the message addressed to Athelo Kikon, the wife of late Kikon. “I also pray to God that his soul rest in eternal peace.”
CM: Late Kikon was a “principled person who had a reputation of being a leader with integrity having a deep commitment to serve the public especially the weaker sections of society,” Chief Minister Rio remembered.
I am deeply pained to hear about the demise, he said, further recalling his interactions with the departed leader while working “closely together” over the past several years.
“Naga society in general and Lotha community in particular have lost a father figure and a true son of the soil. The vacuum created by his demise will be difficult to fill,” he conveyed.
“My family joins me in conveying our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members…May the departed soul rest in eternal peace,” he added.
NLA Speaker: Beginning from the formative years of Statehood till his last breath, late Kikon's contributions shall always be remembered, NLA Speaker Sharingain Longkumer stated.
Nagaland has lost a founding father, a visionary loader and a veteran parliamentarian, he said, further adding: “His political journey is a testament to his stature as a true leader.”
“On behalf of all the Members of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly and on my own behalf, I convey heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family and pray for peace of the departed soul, the Speaker condoled.
Dy CM: Dy Chief Minister and BJP leader Y Patton paid tribute to late Kikon as a one of the architects of the present day Nagaland. Apart from politics, he was actively involved in students and Church activities and was a keen footballer, photographer and a prolific writer, Patton said. He was also a founding member and Chairman of Kyong Academy.
Patton further recalled electoral battles with the departed leader from 1982 to 2003 and said that he found late Kikon “to be a worthy opponent and still holds deep reverence of a regional patriarch.”
“Kikon was an encyclopedia of sorts and his passing away was a great loss for the Nagas, but his legacy will continue to inspire us,” he said.
“On behalf of the state BJP legislators the Dy.CM conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family and pray that God will comfort them in their time of sorrow, he added.
NPF: The President of NPF Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu, on his behalf and on behalf of the party rank and file, expressed deepest condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.
“Late Kikon was a figure in the history of the regional political party of NPF, who was not only a staunch regional leader but also one of the longest serving Treasurer of the party,” he informed.
His entire life has been dedicated and committed for the public welfare and his contributions towards the Naga society and the party in particular will not go in vain but will be cherished and remembered by one and all, he said.
The Party expressed its deep pain and mourned over his death and the vacuum created by his demise will be difficult to be filled up, he added.
NDPP: My association with Late Kikon began when we were both members of the NLA in 1969 and I found him to be an upright and God-fearing man, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) President, Chingwang Konyak said.
I also vividly remember him standing firm and strong on the demand for the creation of Wokha as a District in 1973, amongst his many contributions as a representative of the people, he said.
His demise is a great loss not just to the Lotha’s in particular, but the entire Naga’s in general and the vacuum created will be hard to fill, Konyak added.
“My family and the entire rank and file of the NDPP join me in conveying our heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family... May the departed soul rest in eternal peace,” he conveyed in a message.
Ex-PAN: The Ex-Parliamentarian’s Association of Nagaland (Ex-PAN) also recalled Late Kikon as an upright, straight forward, disciplined, honest and a refined Gentleman.
In his passing away, not only the Ex-PAN, the Nagas as a whole have lost a dedicated leader, the association said in a condolence note from its president, Joshua Sumi.
“At this moment of grief, it is our prayer that the Almighty God gives solace and comfort to the bereaved family members,” it added.
