Kohima, March 3: Former Nagaland chief minister Vizol died at his Daklane residence in Kohima at 7.15 this morning. He was 92.

Vizol’s son, Atha, who is contesting as a Nagaland People’s Front candidate from Southern Angami-II Assembly constituency, was by his father’s side at the time of his death.

The funeral service of the former chief minister was held at his family graveyard in his village, Viswema, 30km from the state capital. Several state dignitaries, officials, and politicians cutting across party lines attended the service.

Governor K. Sankaranarayanan, former chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, Congress Legislature Party leader I. Imkong and other politicians condoled Vizol’s demise.

He is survived by his wife, four sons and two daughters.

An air force pilot in World War II, a political prisoner for the cause of “Naga independence” and finally, the first chief minister of Nagaland, Vizol had a tumultuous career.

Born in 1616 to Notsore of Viswema village, Vizol studied at Mission Middle School, Kohima and Government High School, Shillong. He graduated from St Edmund’s College, Shillong in 1951.

During World War II, he joined the Royal Air Force and served as a pilot till 1946.

Vizol began his civilian career as a teacher at Jon Institute School, Viswema. In 1951, he responded to the call of “Naga Independence” leader A.Z. Phizo Angami and joined Naga High School, sponsored by the Naga underground government, as its principal.

Between 1956 and 1957, Vizol was imprisoned on two occasions on political grounds.

Vizol was elected a member of the first Nagaland Assembly in February 1964 as a Democratic Party candidate and later became the leader of the Opposition till it resigned en bloc after a ceasefire agreement was signed in September 1964.

He also met NSCN (I-M) leaders, Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah when the ongoing peace process was almost stalled.

He did not contest in the second state elections in 1969. He was re-elected in 1974 from southern Angami-II, and was unanimously chosen as the leader of United Democratic Front party and appointed the chief minister.

But the government collapsed because of defection. Following political instability, President’s rule was imposed in the state on March 22, 1975.

Re-elected uncontested from the same constituency in 1977, he headed the UDF government as the chief minister for the second time, but it again collapsed in 1980.

In the subsequent two general elections in 1982 and 1987, Vizol failed to win.

In 1989, he kept out of the fray but led the newly formed Nagaland People’s Council, the new name of Naga National Democratic Party as the party chairman. He contested the Lok Sabha election the same year but lost to Congress candidate Shikiho Sema.

In 1991 he was nominated as Rajya Sabha member.