Veteran Naga peace activist and reconciliation advocate Niketu Iralu passed away in New Delhi on Tuesday late evening at the age of 91, marking the end of a long public life devoted to promoting peace, dialogue and reconciliation in Nagaland and across the wider Northeast.
According to family sources, Iralu had been facing health-related difficulties and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the national capital. He reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest and died while receiving medical care.
Stay Connected · Headline8
Get breaking news instantly — follow our official channels
Iralu was widely associated with efforts to encourage peaceful dialogue and build trust among communities affected by conflict and political tensions in the Northeast. For more than six decades, he remained involved in initiatives aimed at reducing divisions and encouraging people to pursue reconciliation through communication and understanding.
His work was particularly significant in Nagaland, where questions surrounding peace, identity, political aspirations and social harmony have shaped public life for decades. Rather than limiting his efforts to political negotiations, Iralu was known for emphasising the importance of people-to-people engagement and creating an atmosphere where opposing sides could communicate.
Over the years, his contribution to peacebuilding earned him recognition among those working on reconciliation and conflict resolution in the region. His approach centred on dialogue, mutual respect and the belief that lasting peace requires communities to rebuild confidence and relationships.
Iralu’s death has brought an end to a remarkable journey spanning more than 60 years of public engagement. His passing is being viewed as a significant loss to the peacebuilding community in Nagaland and the Northeast.
He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. His family, associates and those who worked alongside him are expected to remember him for his sustained commitment to peace and reconciliation.
As tributes are likely to follow, Iralu’s decades-long work remains an important part of the history of peacebuilding efforts in the Northeast. His legacy is closely connected with the pursuit of dialogue and reconciliation in a region that has experienced prolonged social and political challenges.
