MLA Suraj dies in car crash, body to be flown in today
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun

Imphal/Delhi, August 18 2011: MLA Elangbam Suraj of Yaiskul Assembly Constituency died in a car crash at Mayur Vihar in New Delhi in the wee hours of today.

He is survived by two sons, one daughter and wife.

He was 46 .

Suraj is the fifth MLA to pass away in office during the 9th Assembly.

His father E Kunjeshore passed away in 2009 and the others include Nabakumar of Khundrakpam AC, Manindra of Moirang AC and Budhichandra of Konthoujam AC.

After having dinner last night with some of his friends from his alma mater, St Stephen's College, Delhi, Suraj was coming back with his friend Rasei of Delhi and another friend from Manipur together with the Manipuri friend's wife in a car (Santro).

After dropping the Manipuri friend and his wife, Rasei was driving the car while Suraj sat on the front left seat.

Then all of a sudden, another vehicle rammed into their car in full force on the side of Suraj, killing him on the spot.

His friend Rasei survived but is in a hospital in critical condition there.

Suraj was elected to the Manipur Legislative Assembly in December 2009 in the by-election held after the sudden demise of his father Elangbam Kunjeshore the same year.He was a member of the Assembly's Assurance Committee for sometime.

Condolence meeting underway at Manipur Bhawan, Delhi and inset Suraj

During his days in St Stephen's College, E Suraj was conferred the David Raja Ram Award in 1987 for all round excellence.

He also won the best sportsperson of the year title of the same college in 1987-88 .

On learning about the fatal accident, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, Council of Ministers, Assembly Speaker, Deputy Speaker and other members of MPCC visited the bereaved family at their Wangkhei Yonglan Leirak residence today.

On the other hand, a condolence meeting was held at MPCC office this morning with MPCC president Gaikhangam in the chair.

The meeting observed a two minute silence in honour of the departed soul.

Another condolence meeting was also held at Manipur Bhavan, Delhi this afternoon.

A number of political leaders including Lok Sabha MPs Th Meinya and Thangso Baite and Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing were present.

AICC Manipur in-charge Luzinho Faleiro also paid floral tributes to the departed soul.

Post mortem was conducted today at Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, Delhi.

The corpse will be flown in tomorrow.

Expressing deep shock at the untimely demise of MLA Suraj, Governor Gurbachan Jagat prayed that God may grant eternal peace to the departed soul.

In his message, the Governor stated that Suraj was one of the young leaders of the State who had a great future waiting for him.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has also conveyed deepest condolence and sympathies to the members of the bereaved family.

Elangbam Suraj was a man of principle having great political vision, Ibobi remarked in his message.

Many others have also condoled the untimely demise of MLA E Suraj.

CPI Kshetrigao Local Council, Wangkhem Block Congress Committee, Manipur Basketball Association, Dharmalaya Social Welfare Centre, Manipur Assembly Secretariat, CPI (Marxist) Manipur State Committee, Yaiskul Kendra Trinamul Congress, Yuva Rashtriya Janata Dal Manipur, Juvenile Learners' Club, Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress Committee and the Institute for Educational Promotion have also condoled the demise of Suraj.