Late CM Chang. (Photo Courtesy: forest.nagaland.gov.in)
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 12 (MExN): Nagaland Governor RN Ravi and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today led the State in mourning the demise of the CM Chang and paying tributes to the departed leader.
The veteran politician and Nagaland Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Justice & Law passed away on October 12 at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK).
Chang, who was admitted in the hospital on October 4 and had earlier tested positive for COVID-19, passed away at 2:40 pm on Monday. He was 77 and is survived by his wife and 5 sons and 5 daughters, and grand children.
In his message, Ravi eulogised late Chang as “an able Administrator, a prominent Parliamentarian, a Minister and a hugely popular public figure,” who will be remembered for his contribution to the State of Nagaland.
“In his demise, not only has the Chang community lost a tall leader but is a loss for the entire State and the Country,” Ravi said, while conveying condolences on behalf of the people of Nagaland.
Condoling his death, CM Rio said Chang was “a pillar of strength, a true gentleman and a fatherly figure to many.”
Rio added that late Chang was “like a brother, a trusted advisor and a loyal associate.”
“His demise has indeed created a huge vacuum not just for the ENPO people but for the Nagas as a whole. He has made significant sacrifices for the welfare of society and his contributions in the service of the state will be remembered for all times to come,” Rio said in the condolence message addressed to the deceased Minister’s wife, Alemla Chang.
Taking to Twitter, Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang said late Chang was “A principled gentleman who contributed diligently for welfare of the people.” Conveying condolences to the bereaved family, Zeliang stated that he was privileged to be a friend of late Chang since 1982 when the latter served as EAC Peren.
Condolences also poured in from several quarters after the demise of Nagaland Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change; and Justice and Law, CM Chang on October 12.
NLA Speaker: Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker, Sharingain Longkumer characterized late CM Chang as a very good administrator and an eminent parliamentarian. “In his demise the Chang community and the State have lost a great leader who always worked for the upliftment and welfare of the society,” a press release from the Speaker said. On behalf of the members of the 13th NLA, the Speaker expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
Deputy CM: Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister and BJP Legislature Party Leader, Nagaland, Y Patton described the late Minister as “a dear friend, a thorough gentleman, a visionary politician and a kind hearted man, who was loved by one and all.”
“His contribution for the development and upliftment of our people especially for our brethrens in Eastern Naga area will be cherished and remembered by all, it reads. In his demise, we have lost a true leader and a statesman and the vacuum created will be difficult to fill,” Patton said. On behalf of the BJP legislators, Patton extended condolences to the bereaved family.
H&FW Minister: Health & Family Welfare Nagaland S Pangnyu Phom has also expressed sadness over the demise.
“CM Chang was a man of principal and integrity who was calm and ready to face and accept any challenges at any given time. With his demise, we have lost a great visionary and statesman and a huge vacuum has been created to people of the State at large,” Pangnyu stated in a condolence note.
He also expressed his sincere condolences to the bereaved family and dear ones in this hour of mourning and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.
H&FW Minister: Health & Family Welfare Nagaland S Pangnyu Phom has also expressed sadness over the demise.
“CM Chang was a man of principal and integrity who was calm and ready to face and accept any challenges at any given time. With his demise, we have lost a great visionary and statesman and a huge vacuum has been created to people of the State at large,” Pangnyu stated in a condolence note.
He also expressed his sincere condolences to the bereaved family and dear ones in this hour of mourning and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.
H&TE Minister: Nagaland Higher and Technical Education Minister, Temjen Imna Along said that late CM Chang was a “fine statesman, who is well known for his political prowess, and his deep concern and compassion towards his people.” A press release from the Minister said that he was “an uncle who comes across as a fine gentleman, whose absence shall be dearly missed.” Along also conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.
Planning Minister: Nagaland Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Neiba Kronu described late Chang as a prominent leader and dedicated bureaucrat who tirelessly served the public. “In his demise, we have lost a noble person and a veteran leader of our society,” stated Kronu.
MP Tokheho Yepthomi: Nagaland MP to the Lok Sabha, Tokheho Yepthomi expressed sadness at the Minister’s demise and said: “our association goes back to his days as an officer. He was a very humble person who dedicated his life in service of the people.”
“Whether in the opposition or the treasury bench he maintained his simplicity and warmness to all. His vast experience as a bureaucrat was an asset in every government he served. His passing leaves a vacuum of experience and guidance for our state and its people,” the MP stated while expressing condolences to the bereaved family.
NDPP: President of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Chingwang Konyak recalled that he was classmates with the deceased former Minister
“I found him to be a very nice person, kind hearted and benevolent to a fault. Having served in various capacities both in public life and as a government servant, and having been posted in various capacities in several parts of the State, he had endeared himself to multitude of people from all walks of life,” the NDPP President said.
He added that Chang’s passing away is a great loss for the party and the State, and more so for the people of ENPO area. The vacuum created by his demise shall be very difficult to fill, he added. Konyak on behalf of the NDPP conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.
NPP: The NPP Nagaland State unit said that late CM Chang was a “visionary leader of our times, a man of rare political acumen, courage and immense wisdom.” His loss has left a deep void in the political fraternity of Nagaland in particular and the Naga society in general which will be hard to fill in days to come, the NPP stated.
It offered prayers for the departed soul and extended condolences to the bereaved family members while wishing them strength to bear the pain of loss.
NPCC: Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) President, K Therie said that late CM Chang was not only a people’s leader but he was also a cheerful and hardworking person.
“He dedicated his life in the service of the people as a bureaucrat and then chose to continue to serve the people through electoral politics. His passing away has created an irreparable void that cannot be filled. The loss is not only yours but also a loss to the entire people of Nagaland,” he added. On behalf of the NPCC, Therie offered condolences to the bereaved family.
ENSF: The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) said that the late Minister was always engaged in playing constructive role and emphasized more on consensus building and agreement, rather than seeking public popularity. “He will be remembered as a dedicated leader both at home and beyond for his selfless and illustrious contribution to the people of Eastern Nagaland as well as to the state of Nagaland for his deep commitment to the ideals of peace and democracy,” it stated.
NFESA: The Nagaland Forest Executive Staff Association (NFESA) expressed condolences to the bereaved family members and stated that during Chang’s tenure as Minister in charge of Forest Environment and Climate Change he had taken keen interest for the welfare of the NFESA. “In his demise the department has lost a capable minister who could have contributed more for the betterment of the department,” a press release from NFESA stated.
ENLU: The Eastern Nagaland Legislator's Union (ENLU) said that late CM Chang was an able statesman, a wise politician and a man of principal and integrity who was clam and ready to face and accept any challenge at any given time.
“With his demise, we have lost a great visionary and statesman and a huge vacuum has been created, particularly in Eastern Nagaland and Naga society at large,” a press release from the ENLU stated. It meanwhile extended condolences to the bereaved family.
CCSU and Federating Units: The Confederation of Chang Students’ Union (CCSU) and all its Federating Units convey their deepest condolences and solace to the bereaved family members, relatives, friends, and well-wishers of CM Chang.
He served as CCSU President from 1963 to 1965. “Your deeds, sacrifices and your leadership will always be remembered,” conveyed a statement from the CCSU and Federating Units.
"Death has come so sudden with so much pain and we are not prepared for it. No words could ease what we truly feel. You have been our stronghold through everything and we have lost one of our strongest pillars in you. We will cherish everything we had which time and death cannot take that away from us,” it said.
The CCSU and Federating Units further conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and prayers for the departed soul rest in eternal peace.
CSUD: The Chang Students' Union Dimapur (CSUD) described late CM Chang was an inspirational leader to the community.
“He has helped the Chang community in ways more than the community would ever be able to repay, we will forever be indebted to him. His kindness and generosity towards his community and the Naga people will always be appreciated and remembered,” a press release from the union said.
DENSU: The Dimapur Eastern Nagaland Students’ Union (DENSU) said that “words are inadequate to express our grief on the loss of a tall leader who had sacrificed and contributed a lot to our Eastern people in particular and Naga people at large by being in the various fields such as social, administrative as well as political.” A press release from the DENSU stated that “our people have lost a great leader and it is an incomparable loss to our people.”
Former MP W Wangyuh Konyak: Ex Member of Parliament to the Lok Sabha, W Wangyuh Konyak considered CM Chang was “an older brother and a friend in many ways. We had 5 fruitful years when he served under me as Secretary Sports and Youth Resource department.” Konyak stated that the people of Eastern Nagaland looked up to him for guidence while as an administrator as well as in politics. “With his demise the people has lost a prominent politician, an able administrator and for me personally a polite individual,” he stated.
NPCC Minority Cell: The NPCC Minority Cell while expressing sadness stated that late CM Chang’s “absolute resolve and commitment to the people he represented was unprecedented.” “We share the grief, sadness and heartfelt sympathy to the family of CM Chang. He was a distinguished personality,” a press release from the NPCC Minority Cell stated.
NDPP Central Youth Organisation: The NDPP Central Youth Organisation termed the late Minister as a stalwart of the NDPP and a tall leader of the Naga people. A press release from the organization stated that his passing especially at this crucial juncture when Nagas are facing tumultuous and challenging times is an inconsolable loss. It meanwhile extended condolences to the family members and the people of Noksen constituency.
