Many condole demise of Isak Swu
Source: The Sangai Express

Dimapur/Imphal, June 28 2016: The Naga People's Front (NPF) Central Office in its condolence message said it is pained to learn of the untimely demise of "Naga leader" Isak Chishi Swu at New Delhi this afternoon.

"A profound Christian, Swu had always lived a spiritual life and made it a point that all functions and programmes of the organization he headed, or the meetings his organisation had with different entities, started and ended with a prayer to the Almighty for guidance and protection," the NPF message said.

According to NPF, it was educated Naga leaders like Swu who spearheaded the Naga movement for self determination since the early stages of the struggle when the movement most needed leaders of their calibre.

"It was also providential that such charismatic leaders like him sacrificed their personal comforts and prosperity for the cause of the common good of the Nagas all these decades.

Leaders of his ilk gave their everything for the cause they held dear to their hearts all their lives expecting nothing in return for the tears and sweat they shed.

He was indeed, a true soldier of the people ready to lay down his life for his people," the NPF Central office said.

It then said his death was untimely since he, though one of the signatories of the August 3 Framework Agreement "which is popularly believed to be the precursor to a final and lasting solution to the Naga political problem, could not live long enough to see that the peace dialogue is brought to a logical and honourable conclusion".

However, it would be in the most fitness of things and could be the best and most appropriate tribute to his innumerable sacrifices and contributions to the Naga people all these decades, if all sections of the Naga people strive together to fulfil his one and only aim in his life : To bring an honourable and acceptable solution to the Naga political problem", the NPF Central office stated.

"We pray that the Almighty grant solace to the bereaved family members to tide over this momentous bereavement.

May the departed soul rest in eternal peace," the message added.

Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has also expressed its deep sorrow over the demise of Isak Chishi Swu and mourned his passing away with all his family members, near and dear ones, Government of the Peoples Republic of "Nagalim" and the Naga people.

According to FNR, ever since the Forum for Naga Reconciliation was formed in March 2008, Chairman Isak Chishi Swu extended his unwavering support to the works and initiatives of the Forum, which will always be remembered with appreciation.

FNR said that Isak Chishi Swu may no more be "with us in physical form", but his spirit, his works and his leadership as a pioneer of the Naga National movement till his last breath, "is a testimony of the firmest of Naga rights, who was not only a friend and leader of the Nagas", but also of the world's community.

FNR further said that even as a very elderly person, age and years did not deter him and he moved and worked never limited by walls of separation.

"Today, the promise of Christ's resurrection is for Chairman Isak to have and then for the Naga people.

And with death no longer posing as the wall of separation in between sides, let us creatively work out that unconquerable life in the midst of death already present," it said.

According to FNR, as Chairman Swu passionately gave unreserved support to Naga reconciliation, in his death, "let all Nagas conquer and abolish alienation amongst us, even as we recall his last message on March 22, 2016, where he asked all Nagas to "unite in the spirit of forgiveness" .

The Naga Political Leaders' Forum, Manipur with some Naga civil society leaders organized a condolence at Imphal over the demise of Isak Chishi Swu today.

Isak's demise in this crucial juncture is a tragedy for all the Nagas, NPLFM said in a statement.

"When we retrospect the Naga National movement, our beloved leader late Isak Chishi Swu had led the Naga people for more than half a century upto the signing of the historic Framework Agreement with the Government of India on Aug 3, 2015 in New Delhi.

Late Isak Chishi Swu was a leader whose integrity was intact.

He was a born leader to lead the Nagas to the comity of Nations," it said.

The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) has also condoled the demise of Isak Chishi Swu.

In a condolence message, the NSF remembered Isak Swu as 'a person who selflessly contributed all the best days of his life till his last breath to bring solution to the long protracted Indo-Naga political talk vis-s-vis peace process,' and 'a person who had the calibre and capacity to lead his countrymen and a person who loves and zealously supports and defends his country' .

The NSF also paid rich tribute and grand salute to the departed soul while expressing hope that the younger generation of the Nagas will fondly remember his yeoman service to the Nagas.

The NSF also conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members and prayed for his soul to rest in peace.

Condoling the demise of Isak Chishi Swu, the Rongmei Naga Council, Manipur said that "he has gone from us but his tireless and lifelong sacrifice top the cause of the Nagas shall remain in the anals of the unique history of the Nagas." RNCM prayed that God gives solace to the bereaved family members.

Expressing shock at the sudden demise of Isak Chishi Swu the Tangkhul Hoho, Nagaland said that "the man who gave his all for Naga people and fought for the rights of his people is gone today to be with God but he will always be in our hearts and still be our strength." The end of the great legendary leader is a great, great loss for Nagas, it said in a condolence message.

In this hour of bereavement, the THN shared its grief with the bereaved family members and prayed that God grants solace and strength to bear the loss.

Several civil society organisations including Chandel Naga People's Organisation (CNPO), Naga Women Union Chandel (NWUC), Naga Students' Union Chandel (NSUC), Naga Chiefs' Association Chandel (NCAC), Anal, Aimol, Chothe, Lamkang, Maring, Monsang, Moyon, Tarao and Khoibu tribe unions condoled the sad demise of Isak Chishi Swu, chairman of NSCN (IM) who passed away in a hospital in New Delhi today.

CNPO led the organisations in giving respect and honour to the departed soul of the top Naga leader by organising a condolence meeting at its office located at Chandel district headquarters.

As a mark of respect and mourning, a two-minute silence was observed during the meeting and all business establishments and shops remained closed.

Several leaders who attended the meeting spoke and remembered the great work contributed by Isak Swu towards the cause of the Nagas.

The meeting while praying for the soul to rest in peace, shared the pain and sorrows of the bereaved family.

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