Expressing sympathy to the bereaved wife, children and family members of Late A. Etssorhomo Lotha (54) special secretary Nagaland legislative Assembly, hundreds of mourners including the chief minister of Nagaland T R Zeliang attended the funeral service, Saturday here at Officer’s Hill Kohima.
Late A. E Lotha passed away on Friday after a brief illness at Dispur Hospital, Guwahati, Assam.
Speaking at the funeral service, the chief minister said that the demise of A E Lotha was a great loss for NLA, Nagas and Lotha community in particular.
Zeliang lauded the service rendered by Late Lotha saying in his tenure as secretary and special secretary he discharged all responsibilities to the satisfaction of the house and that various assembly committees were transacted smoothly and systematically.
Comforting the bereaved family members, Zeliang said that though the sad hands of fate has snatched Late Lotha away so soon, as Christians “we” believe that death was not the end as there was hope and assurance of better life awaiting us in Heaven. Describing Late A.E. Lotha as a good and noble soul, the chief minister while conveying condolences to the bereaved family prayed to the Almighty God to grant them comfort and strength at this time of immense grief.
Speaker NLA Chotisuh Sazo termed the death as “deeply chocking and devastating” saying that he has lost a profound and knowledgeable man, a humble person who craves for knowledge and a dear friend.
Sazo said in his close association with Late A E Lotha for the last two years he found Lotha as a knowledgeable, humble with vast knowledge of parliamentary practices and procedures which he said came handy for execution of their official duties.
Speaker said Late A.E. Lotha always kept his official duties as his priority and was available at any point of time as and when called for.
He further described Late A.E. Lotha as a gentle person, ever smiling, cool headed, patient and also hard working and dedicated man for which he was promoted to the post of special secretary NLA on November 1, 2014. Sazo also shared how he and Late A E Lotha worked together before he was admitted in the hospital.
In the funeral service, Loyivani Lotha wife of late A.E. Lotha said that her husband had always being dutiful and that he expressed concern for his official work, for upcoming assembly session in March, even while admitted in the hospital.
She said the only comfort for the family now was that the Lord has called her husband to be with him. The funeral service was led by Arithung M. Kikon associate Pastor KLBC, scripture reading and prayer by Reverend Sankiluma associate Pastor KLBC, words of comfort by Mhonchumo S. Lotha associate Pastor KLBC.
Elizabeth Imti and Lochumlo Khuvung bid farewell to the deceased through a song while the closing prayer was pronounced by KLBC Pastor Reverend Mhathung Lotha.
Other speakers who spoke in the funeral service were daughter of late A.E. Lotha, Ralanthung Yanthan on behalf of Lotha ex-parliamentarian, deputy speaker NLA Er. Levi, MLA Azo Nienü, on behalf of Nagaland chief secretary by C.J. Ponraj, speech on behalf of officers’ staff and staff NLA, Lotha Gazetted Officers’ Union and OFG, Kohima Lotha Hoho, Wozhuro range union Kohima, P.R. Hill Lotha Ekhüng and others.
Host of ministers, parliamentary secretaries, MLAs, dignitaries, friends, well wishers, church members and others attend the funeral service.
After the funeral service the mortal remain was taken to his native village Shaki under Wokha district where the mortal remains would be buried, Sunday afternoon.
Saturday, May 2, 2026