NEW DELHI, June 30 - Rich tributes were paid to Isak Chishi Swu, chairman of Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), in a condolence service held at Nagaland House here on Wednesday.
National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval laid a wreath on the coffin of the 87-year-old Naga insurgent leader, who died on Tuesday following multi-organ failure at a private hospital in South Delhi where he was undergoing treatment for almost a year.
NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, interlocutor in Naga peace talks RN Ravi, former Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Swaraj Kaushal, Nandita Haksar and many others also paid tributes to the leader.
Remembering his 52-year-old association with Isak, Muivah said, �We understood each other and having trust and confidence faced the challenges.�
Drawing upon his two-year-long contact with Isak, Ravi termed him as a �deeply religious man and a remarkable statesman� who knew what was �best� for the Naga people. A leader of Isak�s Sumi tribe heralded him as �pride of the community� and �Mahatma� of Nagaland.
Isak�s eldest son Ikato addressed the gathering on behalf of the bereaved family. The late leader�s wife, Eustar Chishi Swu, and his sons and daughters were present. Bible passage reading and condolence choir by Tangkhul Church were part of the service. � PTI