Thousands from all walks of life braving heavy downpour, welcomed the entourage carrying late Isak Chishi Swu’s dead body with loud Naga war cry in Kohima on Friday, escorted by hundreds of bikes and cars.
A grand public memorial reception was organized by the Angami Public Organization (APO) at the Old MLA hostel junction Kohima.
Addressing the jammed packed gathering, APO president Dr. Vilhusa Seleyi expressed shock and pain over the demise of Isak Chishi Swu. He said that the APO mourned the passing away of a great patriot and a committed freedom fighter, who had selflessly sacrificed for the Naga cause.
While paying tribute to the great leader, Dr. Seleyi appealed to the Naga leaders in particular and the public, to realize the value of reconciliation and to reaffirm the Naga unity, as Swu had wished for till his last breathe.
Social activist Niketu Iralu in his solidarity speech said Isak Swu played his political leadership role with evangelical fervor and zeal to his Christian faith which he had inherited from his pioneering father. Iralu said Nagas would pray that the legacy of his commitment to his faith would be brought to bear on the tough issues still to be resolved in the common journey ahead of all of us.
Iralu said Isak was his closest college class friend and that this was his last earthly passage through Kohima town where he grew up.
Kohima Village Council chairman, Medoselhou Keretsü in his brief address said Isak was a strong person, who gave his whole life for our national cause. Keretsü said “his demise shook our nation however, we should take this platform to urge brothers and sisters to stand together united which must be his dream”.
The programme was chaired by advisory board chairman APO Vipralhou Kesiezie, special tribute presented by Angami Students’ Union while benediction prayer was proposed by Rev. Fr. Alex Vizo. Around 60 frontal organizations of various tribes and organizations laid wreaths and gave condolence message to the late Isak Chishi Swu.
Later, a reception programme was held at Tseminyu town organized by Rengma Hoho, to pay their last respects and homage to the departed Naga leader.
Sumi public to accord traditional burial to late Swu
ZUNHEBOTO/DIMAPUR, JUL 1 (NPN): Sumi public under the aegis of Sümi Hoho along with various Sumi frontal bodies– Sümi Kükami/GBs Hoho (SKH) and Sümi Totimi Hoho (STH) is all set to accord a grand traditional burial to late Asü Isak Chishi Swu, at his native Chishilimi village under Zunheboto. According to Sumi Hoho sources, the funeral service would begin from 10 a.m. Sümi Hoho has extended open invitation and requests all to respond positively.
The hoho has also requested the district administration to relieve all government employees for the day, as mass casual leave. The services will be led by SH Vice-president Khehoshe Yepthomi while Rev Hotokhu Zhimo will perform the last rites.
ZCCI: Meanwhile, Zunheboto Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ZCCI) has asked all business establishments/shops under Zunheboto district to down shutters on July 2– “dawn to dusk”, as a mark of respect to late Isak Chishi Swu, NSCN (I-M) chairman.
2-hr closure in Wokha, Longleng
Wokha District Chamber of Commerce and Industry through its president Aben Ngullie has requested every business establishment under Wokha District to down their shutters for two hours on July 2 from 11am till 1pm as a mark of respect to departed leader late Isak Chishi Swu as he would be laid to rest at his final resting place.
Longleng: Chamber of Commerce & Industries (CCI) Longleng district has also informed that all the business establishment of Longleng town would closed down for two hours on July 2 from 11am to 1pm in honour of late Isak Chishi Swu, chairman NSCN (I-M), as sign respect.
In a press release, CCI Longleng president B. Shamkai and secretary Semdok have therefore asked all the shopkeepers of Longleng town to shut down all their shops for two hours “to show our last respect to the departed soul.”