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DP Panmei[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 27 (EMN): Former Manipur minister Digakthui Phianrongdiyang Panmei, popularly known as DP Panmei, passed away on Sunday following a brief illness here. He was 72.
Panmei passed away around 4.30 am at a private hospital in Imphal, sources close to the family of former minister said. Another source claimed that he was admitted to the hospital on Jan. 23. He is survived by his wife, two sons, three daughters and three grandchildren.
Panmei who hailed from Azuram village under Tousem subdivision in Manipur’s Tamenglong district was elected from Tamei assembly constituency to the 6th Manipur Legislative Assembly in 1995.
He was the cabinet minister in charge of Social Welfare and Health when Wahengbam Nipamacha Singh was the chief minister of Manipur from 1995-1997.
He was also elected as a Member of District Council from Saramba segment under Autonomous District Council, Tamenglong from 1984-1988.
He was the convenor of Naga People's Movement for Human Rights, Tamenglong district (1993-1994); general secretary of Zeliangrong People's Convention, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland (1989-1994); President of Zeliangrong Students' Union, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland (1972-1977). He was a founder member of the Naga Students' Federation.
Panmei, a Master degree holder in History from Guwahati University was the founder principal of Christian Grammar School, Tamenglong.
Panmei, known as a champion of the poor, was involved in various organisations as well as development activities of the Zeliangrong community. He worked hard to develop the Tamenglong-Tousem-Haflong road as an inter-state highway besides other construction initiatives in 1997.
The funeral service will be held at the Town Baptist Church. The formal burial ceremony will be held at the premises of his residence at Green Hills both located at Tamenglong district headquarter, sources reaching here said.