Amid the worsening COVID-19 situation, a Manipur former minister died on Monday due to COVID-19 complications.
Former legislator Vivek Raj Wangkhem and general secretary (national) of the National People’s Party (NNP) died of COVID-19 complications in New Delhi.
Wangkhem who tested positive for the viral infection around a week ago was treated at DRDO hospital in Delhi, sources said. He suffered a massive cardiac arrest on Monday morning and subsequently passed away, the sources added.
Vivekraj was elected to the Manipur Legislative Assembly in 2002 from Kshetrigao assembly constituency of Imphal East district on Congress ticket and became a minister in the first term of O Ibobi-led Congress government. He later joined the NPP and was general secretary (national).
Conrad Sangma, Meghalaya chief minister and NPP national president taking to twitter condoled the death Vivek Raj Wangkhem saying, “Pained by the demise of Sh. Vivek Raj Wangkhem, former Manipur MLA & National General Secretary of NPP who lost the battle to Covid. We have lost a dear friend & a committed party leader. My deepest condolences to his family, friends & admirers. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Meanwhile, the Manipur unit of NPP condoled the demise of its general secretary and former minister.
In his condolence message, NPP state unit president, N Kayisii remembered Wangkhem as a dedicated and efficient party leader and asserted that his untimely demise has left a big vacuum for the NPP and for the countrymen in general. “My most sincere condolence to the bereaved family and all his near and dear ones”, Kayisii added.
NPP national vice-president and deputy chief minister Y Joykumar also expressed his deep sorrow on the demise of Vivekraj Wangkhem and said that the party has lost a dynamic and capable leader.