Hundreds attend Khole Chetkoh Konyak's memorial service

Hundreds of people from all walks of life Friday attended a memorial service of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M) vice president Khole Chetkoh Konyak who passed away on Wednesday in New Delhi.

The service, held at Agri Expo here, was jointly organised by Naga Hoho and Naga Council, Dimapur.

A representative of Naga Hoho, the apex body of the Naga tribes, described Khole as a true Naga nationalist who made significant contributions to the Naga freedom struggle and stood tall till his last breath.

Minister for Agriculture, G Kaito Aye said Khole was at the forefront of Naga political struggle and his demise is a big loss to the Nagas.

This is not a good moment for the Nagas, he said, adding that the need of the hour is to remain united for Naga political solution without sabotaging it.

Opposition Leader T R Zeliang said Khole stood his ground in his quest to bring about a solution to the Naga political issue.

"He was not a man of greed or for personal gain but dedicated for the well-being of the Nagas till his last breath. The Naga people expected that under the leadership of Khole and Th Muivah, the Naga political issue could be resolved once and for all. However, Khole's sudden demise before any final solution is a huge loss to the Naga people in general," Zeliang said.

Zeliang added that 70 years of struggle and 21 years of political negotiations were long enough and it was high time that both the negotiating parties -- the India government and Naga political groups -- should come to a conclusion to bring permanent peace and harmony to the region.

Forum for Naga Reconciliation, FNR Wati Aier said Khole was always consistent when it came to Naga nationalism.

Various other Naga civil societies including Naga Mothers Association, Eastern Naga Legislators Forum, and Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation were part of the memorial service.

Meanwhile, NSCN(I-M) sources said that Khole's send off service will be held at Camp Hebron on Saturday after which his body will be taken to the native village in Wangshu under Tobu sub-division in Mon district.