Imphal: The 13th session (Monsoon session) of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly began Friday. Obituary reference on the demise of six former Members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, one former Member of Parliament and former Secretary of the Manipur Legislative Assembly was taken up by the House.
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh who is also the Leader of the House, while initiating the obituary reference said the untimely demise of the former members were very unfortunate and shocking as most of them passed away due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chief Minister informed the House that Late Paokai Haokip, former Member of Parliament (MP), Lok Sabha from Outer Manipur (ST) was the first MP from the Kuki community. He was elected as MP for two terms (4th and 5th Lok Sabha). He worked for a better relationship between hills and the valley. Late Shri Laisom Lalit Singh, former Member of the Manipur Legislative Assembly from 12- Keishamthong Assembly Constituency was elected in 1984 from INC ticket. He was cabinet minister (in-charge of Finance).
The Chief Minister further stated that Late Wangkheimayum Brajabidhu Singh, former Member of the Manipur Legislative Assembly was from 17- Lamsang Assembly Constituency. He was a soft-spoken, mature and prominent person. He was elected three times in the year 2002, 2007 and 2012. He even held the Minister of State (Minor Irrigation and CADA). He was a successful entrepreneur and established Rural Development Organisation for imparting training in various courses.
Continuing, the Chief Minister said that Late Dr. Irengbam Ibohalbi Singh, former Member of the Manipur Legislative Assembly from 25 – Oinam Assembly Constituency was elected in 2012. During his tenure, he always gave constructive criticism irrespective of ruling and opposition. Late Thangjam Nandakishor Singh, former Member of the Manipur Legislative Assembly from 4 – Kshetrigao Assembly Constituency was elected in 2007. Late Shri Purul Shepu Henry Paotei, former Member of the Manipur Legislative Assembly from 47 – Karong(ST) Assembly Constituency was elected in 2002. Before joining politics, he worked as a Social activist and student activist. Late Shri Vivek Raj Wangkhem, former Member of the Manipur Legislative Assembly from 4 – Kshetrigao Assembly Constituency was elected as Member of the house in the year 2000 under By-election and again got elected in 2002. He always dealt with the public with a smiling face.
Late Thangjam Megharaj Singh, former Secretary of the Manipur Legislative Assembly served as Secretary from 2006 to 2010. Saying that the loss will remain a hard to fill void, the leader of the House also shared his sorrow with the bereaved families.
In his obituary remarks, Leader of the Opposition, O. Ibobi Singh recalled the good time he shared with the late members. He said that Late Wangkheimayum Brajabidhu Singh was a true social worker, who worked for the upliftment of the rural people. The death of the prominent members is a great lost not only to the people of their assembly constituency but also to the entire state as well.
Deputy Chief Minister, Y. Joykumar, Minister of Education, S. Rajen Singh, MLA’s. A.K. Mirabai, Karam Shyam, N. Indrajit, L. Radhikishore, DD. Thaisii, K. Ranjit Singh, Th. Lokeshwor Singh and N. Loken also took part in the obituary reference.
Later, the Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly Y. Khemchand moved a resolution that the House expressing grief and sorrow at the demise of former members and a 2-minute silence was observed by all members of the House as a mark of respect to the departed soul.
