Dr Bhudhichandra's last rites held with full state honours
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Daniel Kamei

Imphal, October 01 2010: A one-day state holiday was observed today as a mark of respect to the state Assembly Speaker Dr Sapam Budhichandra Singh, who died on Thursday morning even as the mortal remains of the departed Speaker was cremated with full state honours at a local crematorium at his native village in the afternoon .

The state government announced a one-day state mourning and a day's official holiday (Friday).

Manipur Legislative Assembly also notified that with the demise of Dr S Budhichandra, Speaker and member of the ninth state Assembly, a vacancy has occurred in the House.

Deputy Speaker, Th Lokeshwor has been given charge as Speaker until an alternative arrangement is made.

AICC Treasurer Motilal Vohra, AICC In Charge North East, Eduardo Falero along with Chief Minister O Ibobi and Ministers, MLAs offering floral tribute to the mortal remains of Dr S Budhichandra at AIIMS in New Delhi

Earlier, in the day, Budhichandra's body was brought back from New Delhi where he breathed his last at AIIMS Hospital.

His mortal remains arrived at imphal airport at 1.32 pm where it was received with full state honour by the state government.

Well wishers, relatives, family members, Congress workers and others were also present at the airport.

Chief Minister O Ibobi, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee President Gaikhangam, Deputy Speaker Th Lokeshore and other who were camping in New Delhi since the Speaker's condition became critical accompanied the mortal remains of the Speaker from New Delhi.

The mortal remains of the Speaker was first taken to Speaker's bungalow, then to Congress Bhavan, and then to the Assembly Secretariat in a procession.

Floral tributes were paid on the way.

His body was laid on a flower decked platform at Congress Bhavan where Chief Minister, Cabinet members, MLAs and bureaucrats, besides the Assembly secretariat staff, paid floral tributes.

The offering of floral tributes at Congress Bhavan was led by Chief Minister, O Ibobi and MPCC Chief Gaikhangam.

The party flag at the Bhavan flow at half mast while tributes were being paid.

Former Chief Minister Radhabino Koijam, leader of opposition in the House of State Assembly who attended the offering of floral tributes at the Assembly Secretariat expressed sock on the sudden demise of the Speaker.

He said Budhichandra upheld democratic norms as Speaker of the House.

Chief Minister O Ibobi, MPCC president Gaikhangam and all Ministers, MPs, MLAs and others paying respect to the departed Speaker Dr S Budhichandra at Congress Bhavan

His conduct of the House with wise ruling will remain in the history of the State Assembly.

His death is a great loss for Manipur, Radhadinod said sharing shock with the bereaved family.

MLA O Joy while paying a floral tribute observed that there would be an unbridgeable gap in the conduct of the House in the absence of Dr Budhichandra.

His smiling face to each and every member of the House will be unforgettable.

Manipur has lost a great politician, he said sharing the shock and grievance suffered by the family.

Later, Budhichandra's body was brought to his native village, Kongthoujam, in Imphal west district where the last rites were performed.

Seating Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Dr Sapam Budhichandra, mention may be made, died in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi in the early hours of Thursday.

In the meantime, Manipur Legislative Assembly today notified that the charge of Speaker of the Assembly will be looked after by Deputy Speaker, Th Lokeshwor as per Article 180 of the conduct of the Assembly, secretary of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Indira said.

An Assembly bulletin has been issued in this regard, she added.