Kohima, March 22 :     Former Nagaland chief minister and Nagaland People's Council leader Vamuzo Phesao died of a heart attack at his residence here today, aged 62. Vamuzo, who was not keeping well for the past four days, complained of chest pain and backache early today, sources said. Four doctors rushed to his residence, but failed to bring any relief to the former chief minister. He passed away at 9.30 am. Born in 1938, Vamuzo joined the underground Naga movement in 1956, but returned to the mainstream in the early Sixties. As a member of the seven-man Naga Public Conference Committee, he mediated between the Centre and the underground leadership in 1968 in a bid to solve the Naga problem. Vamuzo was first elected to the Assembly on a United Democratic Front ticket the following year. After serving as a key member of the Opposition till 1974, the former underground activist was away from the limelight for a brief period. However, he was re-elected to the Assembly in 1977. Vamuzo won the next three elections as well - in 1982, 1987 and 1993. The Naga leader's finest moment in politics was becoming chief minister in 1990. During the two years he was at the helm of affairs, Vamuzo launched the Compact Area Development Scheme and the Village Development Board for the welfare of the state's predominantly rural population. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the regional political movement, Vamuzo formed the United Forum of Regional Parties of the Northeast. He also served as advisor to the Nagaland People's Council till his last breath. All state government offices and educational institutions remained closed today as a mark of respect to Vamuzo. His body will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Yaroba village in Phek district on Friday. Announcing a state funeral for Vamuzo, Nagaland chief minister S.C. Jamir said at a Cabinet meeting that the region had lost one of its finest political leaders. Jamir was among the first to go to Vamuzo's residence. Governor Om Prakash Sharma also paid tributes to the former chief minister, saying, 'History will remember him as one of the architects of modern Nagaland. His departure from the scene at this juncture is too great a loss to describe in words.' Nagaland People's Council chief Shurhozelie said Vamuzo's demise was a blow to his party. 'The vacuum created by his death will be difficult to fill,' he said.