Nagaland minister CM Chang succumbed to COVID-19 at 77

Senior Nagaland Minister CM Chang died of COVID-19 here on Monday, health officials said. He was 77 and is survived by his wife, four sons, five daughters and grandchildren.

Chang was being treated for COVID-19 at a hospital in Kohima, they said. He is the first MLA in the state, which has reported 7,240 COVID-19 cases so far, to succumb to the infection.

The Nagaland government has declared state mourning on October 13 and 14, officials said. Chang, who was the Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Justice and Law, will be accorded a state funeral at his Noksen village in Tuensang district on Tuesday, they said.

The bulletin issued by the Health Department said Kohima reported the second COVID-19 fatality, taking the total number of coronavirus deaths in the state to 13. Chang was a ruling NDPP legislator from the Noksen seat. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2009 and had served the state government in various capacities as an IAS officer.

Governor R N Ravi, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and various political parties and civil society organisations condoled his



death. "We shall remember him for his contribution to Nagaland as an able administrator, a prominent parliamentarian, a minister and a hugely popular public figure. In his demise, not only has the Chang community lost a tall leader but it is a loss for the entire state and the country," the governor said in his condolence message.

Rio said Chang was his close friend for several years and they shared a working relationship for decades. "He was like a brother, a trusted advisor and a loyal associate," the chief minister said.

Describing the departed leader as a "pillar of strength, a true gentleman and a fatherly figure to many", Rio said, "Late CM Chang was a forthright person, always good- natured and a fine gentleman." He has made sacrifices for the welfare of the society and his contributions in the service of the state will be remembered for all times to come, he said. Nagaland Congress chief K Therie said, "Late CM Chang was not only a people's leader but also a cheerful and hardworking person. He dedicated his life to the service of the people as a bureaucrat and then chose to continue to serve the people through electoral politics."