Kohima: Former Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghutoshe Yeptho passed away in a private nursing home at Kohima on Monday.
He was 70 and is survived by three sons and two daughters.
Born in October 31, 1942, Yeptho graduated from St Edmund’s College Shillong and first served as a teacher at Sumi Baptist English School at Zunheboto from 1970-72. He was an active student leader in various capacities in his youth.
He became the Zunheboto district president of the then United Democratic Front (UDF) in 1971-72, president DCC(I) Zunheboto in 1973, General Secretary of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) from 1978-80 and vice president of NPCC from 1991-2001.
Yeptho first contested in the state general election as an independent candidate from Zunheboto Assembly Constituency in 1974, which he lost. However, in 1977, he contested on a Congress ticket and was elected. He served as an MLA from 1977-82. He was re-elected in 1982 and served as the Chairman of Nagaland Khadi Board (1982-85), Minister of State for Sports and Youth Welfare (1985-87) and Minister for Health and Family Welfare (1987-88).
After retirement from active politics, he dedicated his time to social work till his death. (UNI)