TSE cartoonist Khenthang passes away
AMWJU pays fitting tribute, shares pain and grief of family members
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 13: Cartoonist of The Sangai Express (English edition) H Khenthang (39) passed away early today morning (Tuesday 1.10 am) at the JN Hospital after a Maruti car knocked him down at Pureiromba Khongnangkhong yesterday (Monday) at about 12 noon.

After post mortem at RIMS morgue today morning, the mortal remains of Khenthang was taken in a procession to the premises of the Manipur Press Club by members of the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union along with family members, relatives, friends and neighbors of Paite Veng from where Khenthang hailed.

Family Members of Khenthang at AMWJU Press Club on 13th Jan 2004. Picture shot by David M Mayum.

The journalist fraternity of Manipur paid floral tributes to the departed soul at the premises of the Manipur Press Club.

Representatives of 9 Sector Assam Rifles and PIB Defence Wing also turned up to pay their last respect to the departed soul.

A two minute silence was observed to pray for the departed soul.

President of the All Manipur Working Journalists Union, Shamjai Wangkhemcha, former president of AMWJU and now editor of ISTV K Madhumangol and editor of the English edition of The Sangai Express, Hijam Rajesh recalled the contributions of Khenthang as a cartoonist.

Thereafter the mortal remains of Khenthang was taken in a procession to his residence at Paite Veng.

Enroute to Paite Veng, the procession stopped in front of the office of The Sangai Express where the staff and management of the paper offered floral tributes.

A two minute silence was also observed to pay respect to the departed soul.

Prayer service organized by the EBCC, Paite Veng was held at the residence of the late cartoonist.

Tributes were paid and a number of speakers recalled the life and times of Khenthang.

Students of Standard English School, where Khenthang worked as a teacher also turned up and offered floral tributes.

The mortal remains of Khenthang was laid to rest at the Christian Cemetery at Chingmeirong in the evening.

The All Manipur Working Journalists' Union has extended its deep gratitude to Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing who was there at the hospital till the time Khenthang passed away in the wee hours of today.

The Union has also expressed its gratitude to the Manipur Drivers' Welfare Association for providing a Tata truck free of cost for ferrying the mourners as well as for providing a Jeep yesterday to meet the needs of the press fraternity.

AMWJU has also appealed to all the newspaper establishments of Manipur not to carry any cartoon for the day as a mark of respect to the departed soul.

The journalist fraternity also shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family members and prayed for the departed soul.

Born to (L) H Damkothang and Mrs Laimawi, H Khenthang was born on November 11, 1965.In 1996 he joined the Imphal Free Press as a cartoonist and in 1999 started working as the cartoonist of the Manipur Free Press.

From September 11, 1999 till the date of his demise he worked as the cartoonist of The Sangai Express (English edition).

He was the second child and eldest son among six siblings including three sisters and two brothers.

Meanwhile, Art and Culture Minister Dr M Nara has deeply condoled the death of Khenthang.

The Minister also shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family members.