Former journalist and former chief secretary of Nagaland P Talitemjen Ao, retired IAS, passed away on Thursday morning in Kohima. He was born on February 26, 1944 at Akhoya village in Mokokchung district, the eldest son of I Pangersowa Jamir.
P Talitemjen Ao is survived by his wife Moala Panger, two sons and one daughter.
Before he joined the IAS, Talittemjen edited a vernacular newspaper called Ao Milen. He served as editor Ao Milen from Shillong in 1964. As a social leader, he served in various capacities such as president, Naga Students' Union, Shillong, 1965 – 1966; president, Langpangkong Students' Conference (LKM), 1965-1967; president, Naga Students Union, Guwahati, 1968 -1969; president, Ao Students' Conference (AKM), 1969 – 1971; president, IAS Association, Nagaland till 2003 and president, Nagaland Rifle Association and Kohima Rifle Club till 2012.
P Talitemjen Ao did his primary and middle schooling from Chuchuyimlang Government ME School, Nagaland till 1957 and later went to St Anthony's High School, Shillong, Meghalaya, from 1958 to 1959. He then studied at Government High School, Mokokchung, 1960 – 1961 and passed his matriculation examination in 1962. Talitemjen went on to study at St Edmund's College, Shillong, Meghalaya, (1962 – 1967) and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. He completed his Master of Arts in English from Gauhati University, Assam, (1968 – 1970).
He cleared the Nagaland Public Service Commission civil service exam in 1972 and got into the Nagaland Civil Service as an Extra Assistant Commissioner. He was posted as Extra Assistant Commissioner, Mokokchung, from 1972 – 1973. He then cleared the Union Public Service Commission examination and joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1973 (Nagaland cadre).
He was posted as Assistant Commissioner, Tuensang, from June 1974 till December 1975 on probation and as the Sub Divisional Officer (Civil), Zunheboto, from January 1976 till July 1977. Talitemjen served as Deputy Secretary, Home Department from July 1977 till June 1978 and later Joint Secretary, independent charge of Industries & Commerce department, in July 1978 till December 1978. He was transferred as Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto district, in January 1979 and served till July 1980.
Talitemjen served in various categories in a number of departments in the State including Home Commissioner, Nagaland and Commissioner, Nagaland. He was the Chief Secretary of Nagaland from July 2004 till his retirement from service in February 2006. He was appointed as the first Chief Information Commissioner, Nagaland Information Commission, in March 2006 and served till February 2011.
