Adinno Phizo in Nagaland for burial of her late brother
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, April 27 2013 : After more than 50 years of staying broad, Adinno Phizo, President of Naga reel group Naga National Council (NNC) and eldest daughter of legendary A.Z Phizo returns to Nagaland from London today bringing the mortal remains of late younger brother Kevilevor Phizo, another powerful leader of NNC.

However, it has been speculated that 81-year old Adinno Phizo would not go back to London once the funeral service of her late brother is over.

Sources said that she would also not entertain people seeking to interview her during the mourning period.

But by early next month, Adinno Phizo would start meeting her party leaders to chalk out strategies to revamp the NNC position.

Adinno Phizo has been operating NNC from London after her father A.Z Phizo's death in 1990 .

When Adinno Phizo mounted on the kursi of NNC hot seat, there were rebels in the party itself who were steadfastly against her being awarded the top post.

The infighting within the NNC in the early 1990s had led to the spit of the party into NNC/FGN (Adinno), NNC (Hozheto), Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) led by Singnyu and NNC (Nagi).

People lining up to pay their last respect as Adinno Phizo brought the coffin carrying the mortal remains of Kevilevor Phizo at Dimapur airport

Meanwhile, thousands of people from different parts of Nagaland braved the scorching heat and conglomerated at Dimapur Airport here today to receive the mortal remains of Naga National Council (NNC) leader Kevilevor Phizo, son of legendary A.Z Phizo who passed away in London on April 12.The coffin of the NNC's Central Executive Council' member draped in 'Naga flag' arrived at Dimapur Airport at 12:55 pm from London accompanied by Adinno Phizo.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) convenor Dr Wati Aier, writer Kaka Iralu, Congress party leader I Imkong and Justice (retired) W.A Sishak are among the sea of people who were waiting to receive the mortal remains of Kevilevor Phizo.

NNC/FGN, NSCN-K, NSCN-Khole/Kitovi group are among the Naga underground organisations that laid wreaths on the coffin of the late NNC leader while paying their homage.

Dressed in their traditional attires, representatives of various Naga tribal hohos (organisations) also attended the brief programme at the Dimapur Airport.

After a brief service, the mortal remains of Phizo was transported to Nagaland capital Kohima.

Born on February 20, 1939 in Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma) Kevilevor Phizo after experiencing the harrowing time in India due to his father A.Z Phizo's stubbornly resisting Naga national movement, Kevilevor left India and landed in London on May 10, 1966.Ever since, Kevilevor Phizo had not returned to Nagaland.

He was probably the first Naga to have completed an MBA degree.

He did his formative education from Kohima and Shillong.

He was known for his humility and strong commitment for the Naga national cause.

On that fateful day of April 12, Kevilevor Phizo was reportedly preparing to go for a meeting when he suddenly experienced a massive cardiac arrest and breathed his last.

He was 74.Kevilevor was the third child but the oldest among the sons of late A.Z.Phizo.Formal funeral service of the late NNC leader will be held on Sunday (April 28) at Mission Compound, Kohima and then the mortal remains of the late leader will be transported to his native village Khonomo for burial.