A state funeral was accorded to pay homage to the deceased MLA and former Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Dr Imtiwapang Aier at The Heritage (Old DC Bungalow) in Kohima on Sunday.

Dr Aier had passed away on Saturday.

Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer, while paying his tribute, said the late Dr Imtiwapang Aier was a distinguished writer and a man of vision who was sincere to the core. People looked upon him as a leader with a devoted sense of service to the state and its people, Longkumer stated.

NLA Speaker Sharingain Longkumer.

“During his time as the Speaker, he has done many things for the welfare of the officers and stand of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretariat.”

UDA Chairman T R Zeliang remembered the late legislator as one of the most promising young politicians whose principle was based on devotion, commitment and loyalty and as a person of few words but a man who stood by his word.

He said Dr Aier was an illustrious and upcoming leader whose untimely demise is an irreparable loss to the bereaved families, the Ao community and the Naga Society as a whole.

“As a brother-in-law of the lost soul, I feel the pain of his demise personally. Words are not enough to express the agony, and I pray and hope that the Almighty God grant peace and solace to all of us during this time of grief. Dr Imtiwapang Aier was not only my brother-in-law but a friend and a colleague who I came to know after he married my sister Kiehungle though I had many friends from Sungratsü village before I came to know him. Since then, we shared many good moments together which I will cherish forever.

UDA Chairman T R Zeliang.

“During DAN-III Government, he willingly took up the post of Speaker which many other MLAs had refused and he did his job brilliantly. This very act reminds me of his selflessness and his inclination in sacrificing for common welfare,” Zeliang said.

He also said the late legislator had co-authored a series of national and international publications and had presented several research papers in various seminars and conferences across the country.

“With his distinguished qualification as a PhD holder in Engineering Geology and with his admirable charisma and personality, the contribution he made to the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly as Speaker during DAN-III was immense and will be remembered forever. I must say that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly was fortunate to have a member in the person of Dr Imtiwapang Aier,” Zeliang added.

Late Dr Aier’s wife Kiehungle.

Planning & Coordination, Parliamentary Affairs Neiba Kronu, the Ao Legislators Forum, the late Dr Aier’s wife Kiehungle and his daughter, Sungratsu Seno Telongjem Kohima, Kohima Aoer Telongjem also paid their homage and honour as they addressed the funeral service.

The Ao Legislators Forum paying their last respect.

The invocation prayer was pronounced by the pastor of Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo (KABA). The word of God and benediction were delivered by State Chaplin Rev T W Yamyap Konyak.

The state funeral service concluded with a guard of honour.

Late Dr Imtiwapang Aier breathed his last on 7 January in Dimapur and his mortal remains have been taken to his native village Sungratsü for the last rites and burial.