Vizadel Sakhrie

Vizadel Sakhrie (25 April 1943 – 31 March 1995) was a Naga politician and also the first Naga medical specialist.

Vizadel Sakhrie was born on 25 April 1943 to Puhokhwel Sakhrie and his wife Vichosale. He passed his matriculation from Kohima Government High School in 1960. He went on to study Science and was the first batch of 21 students to pass the Pre-University Class in 1961 from Kohima Science College. During this time of his youth, Sakhrie also actively involved himself in student activities and served as the first President of Viswema Students' Union from 1963 to 1965. He completed his pre-medical from Cotton College, Guwahati and got his M.B.B.S Degree from Gauhati Medical College and Hospital. He then obtained his M.D in Medicine from Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi becoming the first Naga medical specialist.

Vizadel Sakhrie joined the Nagaland Medical Service and served for eight years in the capacity of Assistant Surgeon, Grade I and Medical Specialist before becoming a private medical practitioner. Thereafter, he actively took part in State politics and was elected in the 1982 State Legislative Assembly elections as an independent candidate from the 14 Southern Angami - II constituency. He later joined the Indian National Congress and became a Minister for Medical & Health & Family Welfare during 1983 till 1986. Following the killing of Kekuojalie Sachü and Vikhozo Yhoshüby the indiscriminate firing of Nagaland state police forces on 20 March 1986 eight ministers including Sakhrie tendered their resignation to the chief minister.

He was subsequently re-elected twice during 1987 and 1989 from the same constituency, during which he served as the Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment and Wildlife and then as Minister for Agriculture & Horticulture and Land Revenue respectively.

Dr. Sakhrie failed to get re-elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in the next General Elections but he continued to serve the public in his capacity as a Doctor. His own health began failing soon after and on 31 March 1995, he died at Naga Hospital, Kohima leaving behind his wife, seven sons and three daughters.