Ziro, Apr 13: Former director and renowned Apatani octogenarian Koj Tajang Anthony passed away after prolonged age-related illness on Friday and his last rites was performed at his native village Dutta here today.
A large number of well-wishers and relatives paid their last respects and offered condolences during the funeral.
Tajang had been a thorough gentleman, honest and upright first-generation officer from Apatani community. He was one of the visionary pioneers who always stood for the cause of society from his young days as a student leader.
As founding General Secretary of the Apatani Youth Association (AYA) in 1974, Tajang is well known for his contribution towards modernisation of Apatani society. He successfully led revolutionary campaigns and reforms including ban on child marriage and orthodox customs of defacing the face with tattoos and nose plugs by Apatani men and women. He also initiated the widening of village roads and generated awareness campaigns on hygiene and sanitation through social services in the villages of Apatani plateau.
Tajang joined government service as a Statistical Officer in 1978. He served the State Government in various capacities for about 38 years with a distinguished service career record. He retired as the Director of Economics and Statistics Department in 2016.