Kihoto Hollohon
K Hollohon passes away; Tributes pour in for veteran politician of Nagaland
Dimapur, October 15 (MExN): Veteran politician and former Minister, Government of Nagaland Kihoto Hollohon passed away at Olive Hospital in Dimapur on October 15.
Altogether, K Hollohon contested seven general assembly elections and was successfully elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) all seven times. After his 2008-2013 tenure as Member of the Assembly for the seventh time, he retired from active politics, stated a brief bio. ‘During his lifetime, he had the opportunity to build and help many churches, prayer houses and sponsored numerous missionaries irrespective of tribe or State,’ it stated.
He served as the Head GB of his ancestral Khukishe village till 2019 and Head GB of Daniel village till his last breath.
While studying in Shillong, Hollohon enrolled as co-member of the Naga National Council (NNC) “sometime in 1948”. On October 20, 1962, he and his comrades numbering 257 members gave up arms, it stated. The veteran politician, before joining State politics was serving the Government as an Inspector in the Nagaland Police but later resigned and joined politics.
Following his demise, several individuals and organisations led by the Governor of Assam and Nagaland, Chief Minister on Nagaland and others conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members.
Governor: Governor of Assam and Nagaland, Prof Jagdish Mukhi said Hollohon will be remembered for his relentless and selfless services towards the society. He was a warm hearted and cheerful human being. His contribution to the people of Nagaland will be remembered for many years to come.
“I on behalf of the people of Nagaland and on my own behalf, convey our heartfelt condolences. I also pray to God to bestow the needed solace and fortitude to the family members to bear the loss at this hour of pain,” Prof Jagdish said.
CM: “Hollohon had an impressive political career having represented three different assembly constituencies in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He was elected thrice from Aghunato 34 A/C and Dimapur III A/C and once from Ghaspani II A/C having the unique distinction of never being defeated in elections,” Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio said in a condolence message.
“After his retirement from politics, he engaged himself in various church activities and made positive contributions. He was a bold, selfless and a strong leader, who had a big heart. I have known him for decades and we worked together as colleagues in different governments. His contributions in the service of the people will always be remembered,” CM said.
“The Sumi community and the Naga society as a whole have lost a senior and a valuable father figure. Even as we bid farewell, let us cherish and celebrate his life and treasure the wonderful memories he has left in our hearts,” he added.
NLA: Sharingain Longkumer, Speaker, NLA paid tribute saying, ‘One of the prominent Naga leaders with long years of public service behind him, Hollohon had made a mark for himself in the public life of the State.’
“Throughout the seven terms he served the NLA, he had occupied important Ministerial positions in the Government through which he rendered remarkable services to the people of the State. His generosity was a rare quality that distinguished him from others. He was a tremendous asset to the Sümi community in particular and for the Naga society in general,” he added.
Dy CM: Deputy Chief Minister and BLP leader, Y Patton remembered Hollohon as ‘a father figure to the downtrodden when in office and even after retirement from active public service.’ He will be remembered by many whose lives he had touched. Dy CM conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family and pray that God will comfort them during the hour of grief.
NPCC: Nagaland Congress said that Hollohon was a strong leader who lived life on his own terms and stood firm on his beliefs. He was born with an iron heart and served the people without any reservations. His commitment to protect, defend and secure the rights of the people will be long remembered in posterity.
“In his passing away, an irreplaceable void has been created for the people have lost a tall, strong leader who always upheld their interests as the first priority,” all rank and file of NPCC stated in a condolence message.
NDPP: NDPP President Chingwang Konyak said, “I found him to be a very good human being ever ready to help his fellow human beings. His mantra was to make the lives of his fellow beings easier in whatever way he could help.”
After he entered active politics in 1977, he had never lost any election no matter from which Constituency he contested in, and “this speaks volumes about his connection with the grassroots.”
‘He retired from politics after his seventh success in the electoral contests and had ever since maintained a fatherly figure for many younger aspiring politicians. His grace, aura and humility were the epitome of what a successful leader should be, and in his death Nagas have lost a legendary figure,’ Konyak stated in the condolence note.
NPP Nagaland State: The party in a message stated that the demise comes as a great bereavement and utter shock for the entire State of Nagaland and more particularly for the NPP, Nagaland State.
While saluting his political career and other achievements, NPP Nagaland said that at the time of his demise, Hollohon was “associated with different activities of SBAK, SABAK and WSBAK and as many as 33 churches in Nagaland.”
With his death, Nagaland in general and the Sumi community in particular have lost a staunch supporter of human rights and dignity of the Naga People. As a people’s leader, he tried his best to uplift the lot of people belonging to all religious groups, communities and tribes, it stated.
‘During his political career, he not only brought about equitable and inclusive development of Nagaland but also laid emphasis on bringing the NE region on the map of progress and development. He was greatly revered by his contemporaries as well as the young and upcoming leaders of all parties alike for his deep sense of dedication, wisdom, political acumen and sense of humor,’ stated NPP Nagaland while paying its respects and homage to the departed soul.
Naiba: Minister for Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu said that Hollohon was a veteran statesman who had an outstanding political record for being elected from three different assembly constituencies at different times.
Even more impressive was the fact that he had never lost in all the elections he contested. All these goes to show what a fine gentlemen and an inspiring leader he was who immensely rendered his service for the society in various capacities during his time as a politician and a social worker, Kronu added.
NGBF: Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) said that Hollohon was a great leader in his times who had closely connected with his people. His relationship with all classes of people in the society made him a leader of masses. He shall be remembered for humbleness and his joy of giving nature to others especially downtrodden. “In his demise, we have lost a great human being and a charitable leader,” the federation said in its condolence message.
DPON: The Dimasa Public Organization, Nagaland (DPON) said that Hollohon did lots for the people of the constituency in general and people of Dhansiripar sub-division in particular. He is known for his generosity and straight forwardness and as one of the pioneers of Nagaland. In his demise, Nagas have lost a fatherly figure and the vacuum created by his demise would be difficult to fill, DPON said.
Sumi Hoho: Sumi Hoho attributed Hollohon as a true patriot and a tall leader who served the Naga society with full devotion. He started his career as a revolutionary leader, who later joined politics and became a distinguished and fatherly figure to the Sumis’ in particular and Nagas in general.
“On his retirement from active politics, he dedicated his life working for the glory and extension of God's kingdom. His God’s gifted wisdom and caliber in leading our people shall always be remembered and cherished. His demise has created a big vacuum in our society which is very hard to be filled for a long time to come,” the hoho added.
KG Kenye: The MP said that Hollohon dedicated his whole life for the cause of Naga people in various capabilities. “In his demise the people of Nagaland have lost a renowned leader and a fatherly figure whose void will be difficult to fill again. He will be fondly remembered for his exemplary life and contributions towards the well-being of our people,” Kenye said.
G Kaito Aye: Nagaland Minister for Agriculture & Co-Operation said Hollohon will be fondly remembered for his significant contribution to the betterment of the lives of the Sumi community and the welfare of the people of Nagaland in general. “His exemplary and remarkable leadership will forever be etched in the hearts of all who came to know him. He was not only a colleague but a father figure to me and I deeply mourn his demise,” Aye conveyed.
