Manipur CM condoles senior journalist of the state

Our Correspondent
Imphal, June 13 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday condoled the sudden demise of Thotshang Shaiza, a senior journalist and former president of Ukhrul District Working Journalists’ Union (UDWJA), who passed away on Friday due to complications related with Covid-19 at a government hospital.

Thotshang was the district correspondent of The Aja, a bilingual Tangkhul daily. He was 52. He is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters

In a condolence message, CM Biren Singh said, “In his demise we, and in particular the media fraternity, have lost a multi-faceted personality who had dedicated his life in the service of the society”.

Thotshang, who has headed UDWJA from 2015 to 2021, was the president of Tangkhul Leisek Long and Tangkhul film association and the member of Manipur Hill Journalists’ Union (MHJU) and Ukhrul District Sports Association.

On hearing of his demise, All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU), Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM), MHJU and UDWJA besides Tangkhul Naga Film Association and Hunphun Ukhrul Village Authority have sent out separate condolence messages.

In its message, AMWJU said Thotshang started his career in 2009 and was associated with important media organisations in the state including ISTV, a popular local cable TV network.

“We remember him as a very active and diligent journalist who worked to bring information from remote corners of the state to the mainstream both for the electronic media ISTV news and Tangkhul dialect daily the Aja,” EGM said in its message.

MHJU lamented the loss of Thotshang, a dedicated news reporter stating that it was a great loss for the family in particular and journalist union in general. Meanwhile the last rite of Thotshang was held on Sunday at Ukhrul, 84 km north east of Imphal around 2 pm. With his demise, the state has lost three journalists besides affecting more than dozen journalists in the second wave.