ES Reporter-

 ITANAGAR, Sep 5:  Thousands of people including former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, incumbent Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs, government officers and public paid their last respects to the mortal remains of Minister, Health and Family Welfare, Jomde Kena  here at Naharlagun helipad this morning en route to his  native village Gensi in West Siang District.

Family source informed that the body will be laid to rest on Wednesday in his native village maintaining indigenous rituals. 

Former Chief Minister, Nabam Tuki who happens to be a close colleague of late Kena expressed his condolence and termed it a great loss for the state. He was a dynamic leader who was always working for the development of his downtrodden people and state as a whole, Tuki said. 

Joining the queue of well wishers, BJP State General Secretary, Jarpum Gamlin stated that Kena’s demise has created vacuum  not only in the political arena of the state but also in the Galo community. Expressing condolence on behalf of the state BJP, he prayed the Almighty to give strength to the bereaved family on this hour of grief. 

Among others, Minister Tamiyo Taga, Bamang Felix, Speaker State Assembly TN Thongdok, Deputy Speaker Tumke Bagra, Parliamentary Secretaries Mama Natung, Tapak Taku, Paknga Bage, Gojen  Gadi and others paid their last tributes.

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Arunachal announces state mourning    

ITANAGAR, Sep 5: Arunachal Pradesh State Government has declared state mourning for two days—September 5 and 6, as a mark of respect to the departed soul of Late Jomde Kena, Health and Family Welfare Minister who expired at Guwahati hospital after prolonged illness on September 4 last.

 During the period of state mourning, the national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout the state while no official entertainment will be conducted. 

The state government has further decided to accord state funeral to the departed soul and all offices, government undertakings, educational institutions under Government of Arunachal Pradesh shall remain closed on September 6^th on the day of funeral.            

A condolence meeting was conducted at the premises of Civil Secretariat in front of Block B to condole the sudden demise of Jomde Kena where the secretariat officers and officials were present. 

Commissioner Hage Khoda Shalla read out the condolence message on behalf of the Chief Secretary and others which said “Late Jomde Kena will be remembered as one of the extraordinary politician with rare political acumen and administrative skills which made  him a distinct leader in the history of Arunachal Pradesh”.

Two minutes silence was observed to pay homage to the departed soul. 

PM Modi condoles Kena’s demise

NEW DELHI, Sep 5:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condoled the death of Arunachal Pradesh Health and Family Welfare Minister Jomde Kena.

The prime minister, an official statement said, expressed his grief on the demise of Kena and extended condolences to his family and supporters.-

Condolences pour in 

ITANAGAR, Sep 5:Condolences are pouring in from all sections of society following the demise of Minister Health & Family Welfare, Jomde Kena on Monday. 

Expressing shock and grief, Governor PB Acharya said that in his death, the State has truly lost a young and dynamic leader and a seasoned politician.

In his letter to Dajum Kena, wife of Late Jomde Kena, the Governor said Late Kena was an eminent social worker and a public figure of eminence. Apart from his other valuable services to the State in his long political career, he will be remembered for his contributions as Health and Family Welfare Minister. 

In this hour of crisis, my wife Smt Kavita Acharya and I, join the people of Arunachal Pradesh to pray to the Almighty God ‘Donyi Polo; to give you and other members of the bereaved family enough strength and courage to bear the irreparable loss. I also pray for eternal peace of the departed soul, the Governor said. 

Secretary to Governor, Vinod P Kavle and the Aide de camp (ADC) to Governor Dr. Irak Bagra laid the wreath on the mortal remains of Late Kena on behalf of the Governor, who left for Nagaland in the day. 

President APCC Takam Sanjoy in his condolence message recalled his close association with Late Kena right from school days and during their long political career in the Congress party. ‘Late Kena was a man of simplicity and a veteran leader with great vision, whose immense contribution for all round development and welfare of society will be always be remembered by the people of the State,’ he said.

An Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee delegation will attend last rites of Jomde Kena on September 6 at Gensi under Likabali, West Siang District. 

Former Minister Eken Riba who worked with late Kena during his early days in politics has expressed deep sadness over his passing away and expressed solidarity with the grieving family members. 

‘During 1997-99, we worked together in the District level of West Siang and late Kena was the Block President of 28th Gensi Constituency with me as the President of DCC. Late Kena was very active in his block and inducted close to 3000 new members for the party. His leadership, organising and management skills was visible from that moment itself, and later on he went on to be elected as a representative of Likabali constituency for three consecutive terms. We all have been witness to his leadership and statesmanship skills in guiding the state on the path of development and progress,’ Riba said terming his death a great loss particularly for the people of Gensi-Likabali. 

 ‘His untimely demise is a great loss for the state. His departure has created a vacuum in his family as well as in society and the State. We the people of the state have lost one of the great leaders of the state. He will be always remembered by the people of the Arunachal Pradesh for his humble nature and honesty,’ the State National People’s Party (NPP), Arunachal Pradesh said in its condolence on the sudden demise of Kena. 

Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association (APCA) Executive Members gathered at St. Mary’s Church Itanagar to condole the sudden demise of Jomde Kena and said the vacuum will always be felt by Catholic Community of the state.

Tirap District has also mourned the untimely demise of Jomde Kena. Legislators Wanglam Sawin, Tirong Aboh have expressed their deep anguish and sorrow over the sudden and untimely demise of a charismatic leader who was a friend of all. All expressed that it is a very sad moment for the people of Arunachal Pradesh. His untimely demise has left a vacuum and it is an irreparable loss for the state especially for the people of his constituency – Likabali. In-charge DC, ADC Techu Aran led the condolence meeting at the DC’s office at Khonsa.

Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) with the rank and file of various Prayer centers, management Committee, held a condolence meeting today to pay homage to late Kena.  The Society beholds him as an embodiment of Indigenous Faith and Culture of the Galo community. His sudden demise has created a big void in the indigenous community, it said in a statement.

A team of Arunachal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) led by its chief adviser Pradeep Kumar paid floral tributes to late Kena at Helipad here today.      

A businessman, Kena had landed at Itanagar as a trader and had developed very good relations with traders before plunging into politics. His death is also an irreparable loss to the trading community of the state, the ACCI said. 

National Youth Project (NYP) has also condoled the untimely death of the former H&FW minister.

The Confederation of Service Association of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP) in its condolence said Kena’s untimely demise has shattered many of his unfulfilled dreams for his constituency particularly and state as a whole. We have lost a seasoned politician as well as a good human being. He was a hard worker and a capable leader right from the beginning. 

The All Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation (AAPPTF) said that Kena's sudden demise has created a vacuum in society and our state which is hard to fill.

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All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has expressed deep condolence over the untimely demise of Minister Jomde Kena. In its condolence message, President AAPSU Hawa Bagang stated that the demise of a dynamic leader like Kena who was a seasoned politician as well as a good human being is a great loss for the state. We pray the Almighty to bestow enough strength to the bereaved family members in this hour of grief, he added.

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Late Kena was an active political leader, who brought major reforms in health sector and his contribution will be remembered by us all, All Arunachal Pradesh Labour Union (APLU) said in a condolence message.   

The Lower Siang Elite Forum (LSEF) also conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Kena and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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