Naga CSOs mourn demise of former leader

Our Correspondent
Senapati, May 31: Mourning the sudden demise of its former leader, (L) Puni Modoli who breathed his last at Fortis Hospital, New Delhi on May 29 last, Naga Civil Society leaders including the United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women’s Union (NWU), Naga People’s Organization (NPO), Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA), Senapati District Women’s Association (SDWA) and former Naga leaders held a condolence service at NPO Conference Hall, Senapati.
The condolence programme was organised by the Naga People’s Organization under the aegis of the United Naga Council.
Born on July 27, 1953 at Paomata Centre, (L) Puni Modoli was the first son of (L) N Modoli, retd DI (Hills), Manipur and passed his HSLC from Don Bosco School, Imphal. He did his BA and MA (History) from Bombay University.
Served as the 8th president of the United Naga Council (UNC) from 2004 – 2006, (L) Puni Modoli served as an activist even during his schooling days as president, Mao-Maram Students Union, Imphal; gen secretary, Naga Students Union, Imphal (present ANSAM); president, Poumai Students Union, Bombay and president, NE Tribal Association, Bombay.
He joined SBI as a Probationary Officer in 1978. He was the first person to join Banking service as an Officer from Poumai Naga community. Took voluntary retirement from the post of Deputy Manager of SBI in 2002 and served as the Vice president of the UNC before he got elected to the president post including member for Alternative Arrangement Committee under UNC.
He was survived by his wife, 3 sons and 2 daughters.
A minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed leader by the gathering at the beginning of the condolence programme.
Former UNC leaders including Paul Leo, Samson Rimei and Gaidon Kamei who were all former UNC presidents brought condolence message to the departed leader.
Kho John, president, United Naga Council, in his condolence message, expressed extreme sadness over the demise of the departed leader after a prolonged illness. The president of the apex Naga frontal organizations mentioned that (L) Puni Modoli out of deep concern for his people and their future, sacrificed a secured and highly paid job as a senior officer in the SBI and joined the United Naga Council.
Saying that the deceased leader led the Naga people with a clear vision towards their political destiny and the same is being carried forward by the generations that have followed, he added that the Naga people will be ever thankful for his contributions, especially for the leadership that he provided to the people in his time.
While extending solace and condolences to the bereaved families, friends, village and tribe of the deceased leader, the UNC leader prayed that the great leader to rest in peace and seek God’s grace to bear the great loss.
Solomon Arow, president, Naga People’s Organization; Asha Wungnam, president, Naga Women’s Union and Joseph Adani, president, All Naga Students Association also spoke at the condolence programme.