Former Manipur minister AS Arthur dies at 99

Former Manipur minister AS Arthur passed away at the age of 99 at a hospital in Delhi on Saturday. Chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and leaders across party lines expressed condolences on his demise.
Family sources said Arthur, a native of Shangshak Phunghon village in Ukhrul district, breathed his last at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital around 4.40 am. A condolence service was held at Dwaar Centre, Safdarjung, New Delhi, later in the evening.
Arthur served as minister for forest and general administration from 1994 to 1997 during the tenure of former chief minister Rishang Keishing. Before entering active politics, he served as special secretary in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He was elected twice to the Manipur Legislative Assembly, first winning from Ukhrul Assembly constituency in 1984 as an Independent candidate before later joining the Congress. He remained an active and respected political figure through the 1980s and 1990s. He is survived by his son, Alfred Kanngam Arthur, the sitting MP from Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency.
In a condolence message, Khemchand Singh said he was “deeply aggrieved” by the passing of Arthur, describing him as a dedicated leader of integrity and an inspiration to the people. He said the state had lost an accomplished politician and a respected public leader whose absence would leave a void in the political sphere.
The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee also expressed grief over the demise of its former leader, while Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly, N. Biren Singh, and others conveyed condolences.
Meanwhile, Khatingla Keishing, wife of late Rishang Keishing, also passed away on Saturday at the age of 96. A native of Bungpa Khunou village in Kamjong district, she died at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, after a prolonged illness.
The chief minister extended his condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls.