Former Minister RV Mingthing passes away
Many mourn man who stood for hill-valley unity
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 28 2023: Former Minister RV Mingthing who worked relentlessly for unity between the hill people and plain people passed away last night following a heart attack.

He was 92 .

RV Mingthing was born on April 20, 1931 at Kuirei village, Ukhrul district before he shifted to Lamphel Sanakeithel where he breathed his last.

RV Mingthing strongly believed in the fraternal bond shared between the hill people and the plain people, particularly between the Meiteis and the Tangkhuls.

After his election to the Manipur Legislative Assembly in 1984 on Indian National Congress (INC) ticket, Mingthing served as the Chairman of Manipur Legislative Assembly's Hill Areas Committee (HAC) from 1985 to 1989 .

He also served as the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs and Sports from 1989 to 1990 .

Earlier, he served as the Chairman of Autonomous District Council, Ukhrul from 1975 to 1978 .

Former Minister RV Mingthing passes away

He was the president of the Manipur State Congress Party from 2004 to 2007 .

RV Mingthing was also a founder member of the United Naga Council (UNC).

He was a pioneer of the Lui-Ngai-Ni, a common festival of the Nagas of Manipur.

He served as the acting president of the Tangkhul Naga Long from 1981 to 1983 and also served as the vice-president of the Senior Citizens for Society, Manipur.

Mingthing was at one point of time the vice-president of the Manipur State Scouts Union and advisor of the All Manipur Student Guardians Association.

On learning about the demise of RV Mingthing, many well known personalities including Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, former Deputy Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Preshow Shimray, IGP IK Muivah and SP (Traffic) W Kasar came to the residence of Mingthing and shared their solidarity with the bereaved family.

The mortal remains of the former Minister would be laid to rest at Lanthung Ching cemetery, Langol tomorrow after waiting for the arrival of the family members and relatives who are currently outside the State.

Meanwhile, many civil society organisations of both the valley and the hills have condoled the sudden demise of RV Mingthing who steadfastly advocated hill-valley unity.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Legislative Assembly Secretariat, several Ministers and MLAs and political parties condoled the demise of RV Mingthing.

Speaker Th Satyabrata, Hill Areas Committee Chairman D Gangmei shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family members and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

Manipur State Council CPI, Protection and Preservation Committee Manipur (PPCM), Wakhal Mannaba Apunba (WAMA) Kangleipak, Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union and Meitei Pangal EE-GEE Khongul Liba Foundation Committee Manipur too condoled the demise of the veteran politician.

MSC CPI said RV Mingthing was among the leaders who had worked towards protecting the integrity of the State and strengthening bonds of love between the hills and the valley.

He was also honoured with the "Irawat Award for Integrity of Manipur" .

A condolence meeting was held with CPI's National Control Commission member Dr M Nara Singh and other party leaders at Irawat Bhawan.

The gathering observed a 2-minute silence as a mark of respect for the departed leader, said MSC CPI.