The burial of academician Nehginpao Kipgen was disapproved by a Tribal body, on grounds that he was not “indigenous” to the state. The academician died of COVID- 19.

46 years old Nehginpao leaded the Centre of South East Asian Studies at OP Jindal Global University in Haryana’s Sonipat. He succumbed to COVID-19 on May 2 at AIIMS-Delhi while undergoing treatment.

The United Naga Council (UNC) in a statement asked the “legal ground” for the burial of Nehginpao at Kangpokpi. They questioned regarding his Indian citizenship and said that the “burial of a foreigner” will set a bad precedent.

The Thadou Students’ Association argued that Nehginpao was born at Teijang village in Myanmar and grew up in Manipur. His wife is from Churachandpur and his relatives are from Kangpokpi. He completed his schooling from Manipur, and went to teach in different parts of India post completion of his higher studies in the US, it said. Nehginpao belonged to the Kuki community.

The vehicle carrying the body of Nehginpao’s was allowed by the Kangpokpi district administration to be stopped for half an hour so that people could pay homage before his burial at the Leikot area of the district on May 5.