Former Nagaland Deputy Speaker Longkmer dies in Delhi

Former Nagaland Assembly Deputy Speaker and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party legislator, Imtikumzuk Longkumer, died at a private hospital in Delhi on Saturday.

Longkumer is survived by his wife Imkongzenla and his three children.

He was first elected to the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Congress ticket in 2013 and later joined Naga People's Front. He was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary in the T.R. Zeliang government and was later elevated to post of Deputy Speaker.

Longkumer, who retained his Aonglenden assembly constituency in the February 23 Nagaland assembly polls, was appointed as an Advisor to the Sericulture and Excise department in the BJP-backed People's Democratic Alliance government.

Mourning Longkumer, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said: "His death has left a deep void in the state and is a big loss to the family, village and the party. He was a great asset to the government as well as the NDPP and his absence will be felt tremendously."

T.R. Zeliang, the leader of opposition in Nagaland Assembly described Longkumer as a "a very simple man". He said: "He was a man who had a very positive outlook towards life. In his untimely demise, we have lost a good soul."

--IANS

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