Special Secretary Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) A. E. Lotha passed away Friday morning at Dispur hospital after a brief illness.
He was 54 and left behind his wife, two sons and one daughter. Late A.E. Lotha was initially treated at Kohima for severe pneumonia that infected the lungs and later shifted to Guwahati by chopper few days back.
The dead body was brought to Dimapur Friday evening where it was kept at his private residence near ISBT and later taken to Kohima to the official residence at Officer’s Colony. Funeral service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at late Lotha’s official residence, Kohima and after which the body will be taken to his native Shaki village.
Born in 1960 in Shaki village late A.E. Lotha matriculated in 1976 from GHS Kohima and graduated with BA (Hons) from St. Anthony’s College Shillong in 1981. He later graduated from Government Law College Mumbai with a law degree in 1983
Late A.E. Lotha joined the government at the age of 28 as research officer NLA in 1988. From there on he served in various capacities such as- under secretary, deputy secretary, joint secretary, additional secretary and secretary till 2014 october. In November last 2014, he was promoted to special secretary a post he held at the time of his demise.
Late A. E Lotha also attended various conferences of presiding officers and secretaries of legislative body and seminars in various places within the north east region, country and abroad.
Gov, CM, others condole
Nagaland governor P.B. Acharya and chief minister T.R. Zeliang have mourned the demise of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) special secretary A.E. Lotha, who passed away at Dispur hospital Friday morning after a brief illness.
In his condolence message, governor asserted he was deeply grieved to hear about the sudden demise of A.E. Lotha, saying “we have lost an able administrator and a sincere officer.”
Acharya conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members at this hour of grief and prayed Almighty God grant strength to bear the irreparable loss and departed soul rest in peace.
In his message, chief minister T.R. Zeliang expressed shock and grief at the untimely demise of A.E. Lotha and said during the years of his service especially in his capacity as special secretary in the NLA, he had performed his onerous responsibilities splendidly with dedication and efficiency.
“His untimely death is a great loss to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, to the Lotha Community and the Nagas in general,” Zeliang said.
Chief minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the wife, children and relatives of A.E. Lotha. He prayed God grant them strength and peace of mind in their hour of bereavement and department soul rest in peace.
NLA speaker: Expressing shock and sorrow over the demise of A.E Lotha, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Chotisuh Sazo said his devotion, determination and sincerity towards his duty was worthy of mentioning and his thorough knowledge of parliamentary practices and procedure was “indeed inspiring.” In a message, NLA speaker said simplicity and honesty, probity and transparency, humility and amiability remained his watchwords throughout his life.
“He has contributed immensely for the all round development of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretariat,” said Sazo, adding that he would always be remembered for his sterling qualities and his diverse contributions towards the uplift of Assembly Secretariat.
NLA speaker prayed Almighty God grant the bereaved family members courage and wisdom to withstand the irreparable loss at this hour of gloom and grief and his soul rest in peace.
Home minister: Nagaland home minister Y. Patton said he was deeply saddened by the news of untimely death of AE Lotha. In his message, home minister said AE Lotha has been one of the sincere and honest officials handling all his works so efficiently and diligently whether it was in the Assembly Secretariat or during Assembly Sessions.
Stating that words cannot express his sorrow, Patton said the office would not be the same without AE Lotha, adding that the void created by his untimely demise would be difficult to fill.
He also said Lotha’s untimely demise was a great loss to the Assembly and the legislators of Nagaland in particular and the people in general.
Patton offered his deepest sympathies to bereaved family members and prayed God give them the comfort and peace and departed soul rest in peace.
Stating that words cannot express his sorrow, Patton said the office would not be the same without AE Lotha, adding that the void created by his untimely demise would be difficult to fill.
He also said Lotha’s untimely demise was a great loss to the Assembly and the legislators of Nagaland in particular and the people in general.
Patton offered his deepest sympathies to bereaved family members and prayed God give them the comfort and peace and departed soul rest in peace.
Kiyanilie: Social Welfare minister, Kiyanilie Peseyie, has described late AE Lotha a very responsible officer of the Assembly Secretariat whose dedication and sincerity to duties he had experience during his tenure as the Speaker. Peseyie said his contribution for the welfare of the legislators would be remembered and cherished by all. He has further conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members.
Kaito: MLA G Kaito Aye said late AE Lotha was a dedicated and sincere government officer, who always stood for truth and honesty. He lamented that his death has created a vacuum which would be hard to fill. Kaito has further conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members.
Noke: MLA Noke Wangnao said the death of AE Lotha, is a loss to all adding the void created would be hard to fill. Noke said AE Lotha’s contribution to the society and his community and the Nagas in general has been vast and immense. He has further conveyed condolence to his bereaved family members.
TM Lotha: MLA Dr. TM Lotha said AE Lotha was one of the most efficient and sincere officers in the Assembly Secretariat whose admirable temperament and liberal attitude was liked by all his subordinates, friends, legislators and relations. Dr. TM Lotha said his untimely demise is not only a great loss to the Assembly Secretariat and the state legislators but also to the state and in particular to the Lotha community. He further conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members.
NCP: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Nagaland Unit has described AE Lotha as a humble, honest, simple and kind-hearted person who was always ready to help others in times of need and one who always performed his duties with great sincerity and dedication. NCP lamented that in his death Nagaland has lost a capable and efficient officer. State NCP has also conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members.
LH: Lotha Hoho has described AE Lotha as a gentle, sincere and God fearing officer and highly valuable person of the Lotha community. It said the untimely demise of AE Lotha has been a loss not only for the Lotha community but also for the Nagas as a whole, adding the vacuum created by his death would be difficult to fill. It conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members and prayed for his soul to rest in eternal peace.
EPAN: Ex-Parliamentarian Association of Nagaland (EPAN) has described AE Lotha as a humble and dedicated officer who served the department since 1988 with all sincerity. EPAN said his passing away is not only a loss to the department but to all who knew him as ex-members of NLA irrespective of party affiliation. It has conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members.
DLH: Lotha Community of Dimapur said the passing away of AE Lotha is a great loss not only to his family and kin, but to the state government and the Lotha community in particular. DLH has conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.
KSU: Kyong Students’ Union (KSU) has described AE Lotha as a man of principle, upright, honest and sincere officer who had served the state government in various capacity with dedication and commitment. KSU said his demise is a great loss to the Nagas and the Kyong (Lothas) in particular. It has conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members.