Nagaland: Senior NSCN-IM leader passes away

Kohima, Apr 30: Senior leader, former Kilonser (Minister) and former Secretary of Steering Committee of NSCN-IM Angelius Paiza Shimrah breathed his last after a brief illness at his Dimapur residence yesterday. He was 63.

Born in 1944 in Paoyi village under Ukhrul district of Manipur, Angelius did his Masters in English and Economics from Bangalore. He joined the Naga movement in 1976 and served the Government of Peoples Republic of Nagalim (GPRN) as Alee (foreign) Secretary, Kilo Kilonser (Home Minister), cabinet Kilonser and Secretary of Steering Committee for two terms.

He also mobilised the Naga issue in Europe, undertook the Bougainvillea Peace Mission and was also a part of Nagalim Constitutional Drafting Committee.

The mortal remains of Angelius was taken to Camp Hebron, where NSCN-IM Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah paid rich tribute to the departed leader in the funeral service held there.

Other leaders also spoke about the vacuum created by Angelius.

The representatives of Naga Hoho, Naga Students' Federation, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights and other NGOs also attended the funeral ceremony.

UNI