Ukhrul, April 30: The people of Ukhrul paid their last homage to the mortal remains of Angelus Paiza Shimrah, Kilonser and one of the senior leaders of the Government People Republic of Nagalim (GPRN) NSCN.

Angelus P Shimrah was 64 years old and is survived by his wife Mrs Zingnimla and six (6) sons.

He served the outfit in various capacities for thirty (30) years, three months and 4 days as one of the most important functionaries of the NSCN.

More than thousands of people thronged the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) ground today to receive the mortal remains of the leader at 7 am to pay their last respect to the departed soul.

A public condolence service was also held to honour the departed leader who breathed his last on April 29 at 2 am at Zion Hospital Dimapur.

Shimrah was reportedly suffering from Leukemia for quite sometimes.

During the service, A Puni, Kilo Kilonser, recalled that the late leader will definitely go dawn to the annals of Naga history as a far sighted leader He also dubbed Shimrah as the Dr Ambetkar of the Nagas.

Ahao Raising, secretary Steering Committee stated that the demise of Sir/Amei Shimrah is a great loss not only for the family members but also for the whole of the Naga people and added that vacuum created by his demise will be hard to fill.

Raising added that AP Shimrah who was 6 years senior to him was a man of integrity and a perfectionist.

According to VS Atem, Emissary to the collective leadership AP Shimrah was a decision maker, strategist, a systematic and constructive man, politically and educationally and his pen was mightier than the sword.

AP Simrah, said to be one of the most erudite members of the NSCN set-up was among the few senior leaders who did not own his own private house, plot or any other luxury items.

At the time of his death he was staying in a rented house in Dimapur.

He joined the Naga movement in 1976 under AZ Phizo and later become a founder member of the NSCN and went on to hold many importants post in the outfit including the post of secretary, foreign affairs and also led the steering committee which is said to be the highest decision making body of the NSCN (IM).

Representatives from various civil organizations like, Naga Hoho, NPMHR, UNC, TNL, TKS, TSL, TMNL, RKL, HSL, Nagalim Churches Association, Inter Churches Forum, Catholic Union Ukhrul and Manipur and Hunphun Village authority and Paoyie Katamnao Long as well as many ranks and files of the NSCN including CAO, Wung Region, V Horam Deputy Home, Lumpa Tatar, Konyak Tatar Col Paisho, Lt Col Nganingkhui, Tongmet Education Minister, John, and CAO of Siphoue Maram Region were among others who attended the service.

During the service all the shops in Ukhrul Town downed their shutters and vehicles stayed off the road to pay respect of the departed soul.

The mortal remains of AP Shimrah was taken from the TNL ground, Ukhrul at around 12.30 noon for his native Paoyie Village 26 kms away from the District Hq.

The funeral service of Shimrah will be held tomorrow at 9.30am at his village.

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