Mokokchung, 28 August (MTNews): Noke Wangnao, whom people fondly called Baba Wangnao, a revered figure in Nagaland state political landscape, passed away at the age of 87 on Monday, 28 August 2023, at Chümoukedima’s Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) following a brief illness.
A stalwart, who held the distinction of being a 10-time MLA from Mon district of Nagaland, Wangnao, in the most recent chapter of his political career, contested and won as a candidate of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) in the February assembly elections. He served as an advisor for the Social Welfare Department and also as the Advisor to the Chief Minister until his passing.
Wangnao’s political journey was characterized by his strong regionalist convictions. In 1974, he entered the realm of state politics, embarking on a path that would see him elected an impressive ten times from the Tapi constituency in Mon district. Over the years, he shouldered various responsibilities, including ministerial roles.
The state paid its respects at his Dimapur residence. A multitude of leaders, headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy CM Y Patton, assembly speaker Sharingain Longkumer, NDPP president Chingwang Konyak, and representatives from civil society organizations, offered their heartfelt tributes to his memory.
According to family sources, his mortal remains will be taken to his hometown Mon for his final rites. The Nagaland Home Department observed a State Funeral in honor of Noke Wangnao at his residence near the Spirit of Faith Church in Nagarjan, Dimapur, on Monday.
Nagaland mourns the much-adored Baba Noke’s demise
Calling Wangnao a veteran political stalwart, Governor La Ganesan said that Wangnao was an able and dynamic leader committed to the welfare and uplift of the people. “His demise is an irreparable loss to the people of the state. His contribution as a true statesman to the people of Nagaland will be remembered for years to come,” the governor said.
Chief Minister Rio said that Wangnao’s sacrifices and contributions to Nagaland and its people will be recorded in history for generations to come. “May God Almighty grant solace to the members of the bereaved family, and may the departed soul rest in eternal peace,” Rio posted on X. The Nagaland legislative assembly, ministers, political parties, and civil society organizations also condoled Wangnao’s demise.
ENSF: Referring to him as the “Grand Old Man of Naga Politics,” the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) said he was someone who lived life to the fullest, with distinctive enigma, leaving behind a legacy of longevity in the Eastern Naga socio-political epoch. He was a towering political patriarch among our Eastern Political influencers and possessed distinct acumen, which he employed effectively in motivating and edifying the cause of our Eastern brethren. The federation also recalled how he was popularly known as ‘Baba Noke’ and shared its deepest and most sincere sorrow with the bereaved family members and relatives.
NDPP: The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) expressed their sadness over the sudden demise of the oldest legislator from the NDPP and the senior-most member of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA). Remembering him as someone who always discharged the responsibilities bestowed upon him with sincerity and honesty, the NDPP said, “The State as a whole has lost an octogenarian whose vault of wisdom and experience will not be easily replaced, and his presence will truly be missed” by the party as well as the people of Nagaland, particularly the members of Eastern Nagaland. “Nagaland has lost a tall and dedicated leader who was a father figure to many,” the party stated.
NDPP Mokokchung Region: The NDPP Mokokchung Region, while mourning the demise of Lt Noke Wangnao, recalled ‘Baba’ as an epitome of regionalism, a stalwart of the regional party in the North East region. “His witty expressions were a storehouse of wisdom,” the NDPP Mokokchung region stated, adding that the Nagas have lost a veteran statesman and a grassroots leader. “The vacuum caused by his death could not be filled,” it added.
JD(U): The Janata Dal United (JDU) Nagaland expressed great sadness over the demise, stating that he contributed much to the people of Nagaland as a whole. The JD (U) believes that the State will have a vacuum that will be difficult to replace.
Advisor Imkong L Imchen: Advisor of Information & Public Relations, Soil & Water Conservation, Imkong L Imchen called Wangnao one of the tallest leaders of Regional Politics in Nagaland, being elected nine times to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. “He always loved to speak the truth, no matter what,” Imchen said, adding that Late Noke was a man of integrity in Naga Politics and expressed disbelief that Late Noke Wangnao would no longer be present in the House. “A great loss to the 14th House of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, to the people of Nagaland, particularly to the people of Konyak, and to his dearest bereaved family members,” Imchen said.
ENNWU, NSCN-IM: The Eastern Naga National Workers Union (ENNWU) of NSCN-IM expressed their sadness over the demise of Wangnao stating that his sudden demise is a great loss to the Nagas in general and Eastern Nagas in particular. “The void left behind by his untimely death will be hard to fill in the days to come,” ENNWU stated and conveyed their heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family members.
Deputy Chief Ministers TR Zeliang and Y Pattonm Rajya Sabha MP S Phangnon Konyak and several leaders and organizations have also condoled the demise of Advisor Noke.