Kohima, November 17 (MExN): Dr K Kath, a former minister in Nagaland, passed away at Olive Christian Hospital & Research Centre, Dimapur on November 17. He was 78. He is survived by his wife, Ronsenle Kath, three sons, one daughter, and 12 grandchildren.
The final send-off service will be held at his private residence in Bayavu Hill, Kohima, at 8:00 AM on November 18. This will be followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM at Tseophenyu New Village.
Dr Kath began his professional journey in medicine. He was the President of the Nagaland Medical Students’ Association in 1979 and went on to become a founding member of the Nagaland Doctors’ Association (NDA).
He joined the Nagaland Medical Service in 1980 as an Assistant Surgeon, becoming the first Gazetted Officer from his native Tesophenyu Village.
Dr Kath took voluntary retirement from government service to enter politics in 1987.
He first contested the 6th General Election from the 12th Tseminyu Assembly Constituency as a Nagaland People’s Party (NPP) candidate. He was elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in the 7th General Election in January 1989 as a Naga People’s Council (NPC) candidate. Following his victory, he was inducted as the Minister of State for Sports and Youth Welfare in the ministry led by K L Chishi.
He was elevated to the cabinet in 1990 under Chief Minister late Vamuzo Phesao, becoming the first individual from the Rengma tribe to hold a cabinet portfolio. He was placed in charge of Transport & Communication and Parliamentary Affairs.
He contested the 1993 elections again as an NPC candidate. Dr Kath also held significant organisational roles within political parties, serving as Press Secretary for the Naga People’s Council (NPC) and later as the General Secretary of the Naga People's Front (NPF) from 2002 to 2008. He remained a Life Member of the NPF until his demise.
