By R Lester Makang
UKHRUL, November 30: A huge number of people from across Ukhrul district turned up to pay their last respect to late Y. Wungkhai, tatar NSCN-IM during a grand condolence service held at TNL Hall before finally laying to rest his mortal remains at the yard of his private residence located at Dungrei, Hungpung on Sunday evening.
The grand condolence service which was organised by the Tangkhul civil society organisations under the aegis of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) at its Assembly Hall at 11 am today morning, was attended by church elders, leaders of TNL, Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), Tangkhul Shanao Long ( TSL) and public members from different parts of the district.
It may be recalled that late Y Wungkhai who hailed from Khamasom Khullen village in northern Ukhrul, was found allegedly murdered in his own residence around 3pm on Friday last. Sources said that he was alone in the house on the fateful day. No clues whatsoever regarding his death has so far been established.Various Tangkhul leaders in their condolence messages during the service, deeply conveyed their last respect to the departed leader. They also strongly condemned the gruesome murder of the dynamic Naga leader while expressing their steadfast solidarity to the bereaved family. The civil society leaders at the same time lauded the selfless service rendered by the late NSCN-IM leader during his lifetime while asserting that his contributions toward the cause of the Nagas were worth emulating for all.
Thereafter his mortal remains was taken back to his private residence at Dungrei Hungpung and finally laid to rest at 3 pm as per the Tangkhul customary ritual amid silent homage.
Late Y Wungkhai was 75 and he is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters. He served as CAO at WTR Ukhrul during the period around 2005.
Meanwhile, Raphei Katamnao Long (RKL) has condemned in no uncertain term the brutal murder of (L) Y Wungkhai on November 28 last while he was alone at his own house. The apex students`™ body of northern Ukhrul said that (L) Wungkhai was one of the energetic elders of Raphei who were very much concerned for the welfare of the people of the area apart from being a Naga national worker.
RKL has also appealed to all not to repeat such act of crimes, while calling upon all to work for attainment of peace and tranquility in Raphei in particular and Ukhrul district in general.