CM, IPR Minister lead in paying homage to Ukhrul journalist
Manipur loses third scribe to Covid
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 13 2021: The Covid tragedy has struck a family in Ukhrul district headquarters hard, with two brothers succumbing to the virus one after the other all within three days time.

In the first case, the elder brother Phungton Shaiza succumbed to the virus while being brought to Imphal from Ukhrul on June 10 while the younger brother Thotsang Shaiza, an Ukhrul based journalist passed away at the ICU of JNIMS on June 12 night.

He was 52 and is survived by his wife, three daughters and two sons.

The mortal remains of the late scribe was taken to Ukhrul today where the last rites were performed.

Thotshang Shaiza was a journalist having been associated with ISTV and was the Ukhrul correspondent of Aja daily at the time of his death.

Incidentally Thotshang Shaiza is the third journalist in Manipur to have fallen prey to COVID-19 .

CM, IPR Minister lead in paying homage to Ukhrul journalist

Earlier, veteran journalist and Editor of Eikhoigi Panthung Sagolshem Hemant passed away and so too S Shantikumar of Ereibak daily.

The late scribe tested positive for coronavirus on June 4 and he was admitted to Ukhrul district hospital.

As his condition worsened, he was referred to JNIMS on June 10 .

Thereafter battling the virus for days, he passed away late in the night of June 12 .

Many have come forward to condole the death of the journalist, with Chief Minister N Biren Singh and IPR Minister Th Biswajit leading the way.

In a condolence message, the Chief Minister offered his heart felt condolences to the bereaved family members and the media fraternity and recalled that he was a former president of Ukhrul District Working Journalists' Association (UDWJA) for two terms (2015 to 2021) and also a member of Manipur Hill Journalists' Union (MHJU) .

In his death, Manipur, in particular the media fraternity, has lost a personality who dedicated his life in the service of society, said the Chief Minister.

Information and Public Relations Minister Th Biswajit also condoled the demise of Thotshang Shaiza and recalled that he played a significant role in transmitting local news to the general public.

His untimely demise is an irreparable loss to the journalist fraternity, said Biswajit and shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family members.

The Ukhrul District Working Journalists' Association (UDWJA) of which Thotshang Shaiza was a two time president has also deeply condoled his demise.

Paying last respect to the departed soul, UDWJA said he joined journalism in 2009 and was the district correspondent for ISTV and Aja daily.

Bidding adieu to the departed soul, UDWJA said he upheld the "freedom of expression and true spirit of journalism" and reached the unreached sections of the populace with his coverage as a scribe.

Shaiza will be remembered as a source of knowledge and experience in the district's journalism fraternity.

He was a source of strength for the association.

He was an outspoken and fun loving gentleman.

His absence would be profoundly missed in our midst, said UDWJA and added that his demise is a big loss for the Ukhrul media fraternity.

The late man served as UDWJA president for two consecutive terms from 2015-18 and 2018-21 and was recently appointed as UDWJA advisor.

UDWJA also shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family members.

The Manipur Hill Journalists' Union (MHJU), expressed deep sorrow and grief over the death of the scribe and condoled the bereaved family.

The Editors' Guild Manipur and All Manipur Working Journalists' Union too have expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Thotshang Shaiza and prayed for the departed soul.

The two bodies also shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family members.