Vizol Angami


Vizol Angami was a Naga politician who served as the 4th Chief Minister of Nagaland two times from February 1974 until March 1975 and November 1977 until April 1980. He became the Chief Minister of Nagaland as part of the United Democratic Front.

Early life and education

Vizol was born on 16 November 1914. He was the fourth of five children of Notsore Koso and Vichole of Viswema, Nagaland. He did his matriculation from Government High School, Shillong. In 1951, he graduated from St. Edmund's College, Shillong.
During the Second World War, Vizol joined the Royal Indian Air Force and served until 1946. After the war, he served as a private teacher in John High School, Viswema.

Political career

From 1953 to 1956, he served as the Principal of the Naga National High School, Kohima. He was imprisoned twice—1956 and 1957 on political grounds. He also served as the Vice President of the Naga People's Convention from 1957 to 1960. He is also one of the founding members of the Kohima Science College, Jotsoma in 1961.
Vizol was elected a member of the first Nagaland Assembly in February 1964 as a Naga National Democratic Party of Nagaland and later became the leader of the Opposition till it resigned en bloc after a ceasefire agreement was signed in September 1964. He did not contest in the second state elections in 1969.

First term as Chief Minister (1974–1975)

He was re-elected in 1974 from Southern Angami–II and was unanimously chosen as the leader of United Democratic Front party and was appointed as the Chief Minister of Nagaland. But the government collapsed due to defection. Following political instability, President’s rule was imposed in the state on March 22, 1975.

Second term as Chief Minister (1977–1980)

Vizol was again re-elected uncontested to the Nagaland Assembly in 1977 and became the Chief Minister for the second time but it again collapsed in 1980.

Post Chief Minstership

In the subsequent two general elections in 1982 and 1987, Vizol failed to get elected.
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.
He was a Member of the Rajya Sabha from 1992 to 1997 and also a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Communication, Energy, Gas, Afforestation and Eco-development.
He was the founding member of the Nagaland State Branch of the Indian Red Cross Society in 1982 and served as its Chairman till he resigned in 2004 on health grounds.

Death

Vizol died on 3 March 2008 at 7:15 IST, at his personal residence in Daklane Ward, Kohima after a prolonged illness and his remains were laid to rest at Viswema. He was survived by his wife, four sons and two daughters.