Many condole demise of L Ibomcha

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 24: Many including ex-Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, ex-Deputy CM Gaikhangam, members of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee and Speaker Manipur Legislative Assembly Yumnam Khemchand have condoled the demise of two time MLA Laishom Ibomcha Singh.
L Ibomcha, the veteran NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) leader died yesterday. He was 72.
The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee held a condolence meeting at the Congress Bhawan at around 1 pm in presence of its president Govindas Konthoujam, AICC Manipur in charge Bhakta Charan Das, CLP leader Okram Ibobi, CWC member Gaikhangam. The gathering observed a 2 minute silence and the party flag was flown half mast as a mark of respect to the departed leader.
While sharing the grief and pain of the bereaved family members, the Congress leaders said the demise of L Ibomcha has left a void in the party. “In his death, our party has lost a popular and farsighted leader”. His demise is a loss for the party and the State, said the party leaders.
Sharing condolence, Speaker Y Khemchand in his message said, “He was elected twice to Manipur Legislative Assembly representing Keishamthong A/C. I deeply condole the sudden demise of the noble and good natured politician. I also share the grief of his bereaved family members, near and dear ones.”
Born on March 1, 1948 at Keishamthong Laishom Leirak, Imphal, L Ibomcha was elected two times as a Member of Legislative Assembly in 2002 and 2012.
He was first elected to 8th Manipur Legislative Assembly in 2002 on FPM (Federal Party of Manipur) ticket and his second stint as MLA came after winning the 2012 10th Manipur Member of Legislative Assembly election on NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) ticket.
Before entering active politics, he completed BA (Bachelor of Arts) from Gauhati University and did his LLB with Diploma in Law of Taxation from Lucknow University. He practised law as an Advocate till 1976 under Gauhati High Court.
He was Law Secretary and State Election Commissioner from 1994 to 2002.
L Ibomcha was a critic of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958. Besides publishing a book titled “Manipur Under AFSPA-A Bizarre Experience”, while he was Law Secretary in 1997, he presented a paper in the conference of Law Ministers of all States suggesting that the “AFSPA be replaced by a milder law, if at all necessary”.
He was awarded the “Best Citizen of India” by the International Publishing House, New Delhi in 2005. He was a life member of the Cultural Forum of Manipur and Manipur Consumer’s Protection Society.
In sports, he served as chairman of the Sir Churachand Trophy State Level Boxing Championship and president of All Manipur Taekwondo Association.
Sponsored by the Asian Human Right Commission, he was the lone delegate representing India in the convention on “Budgeting for administration of justice” held at Hong Kong in 2010.
He is survived by his wife Y Indira Devi, former Secretary Manipur Legislative Assembly, one son and three daughters.