Dimapur, January 27: Former Chief Minister RK Ranbir passed away at his Keishamthong Longjam Leirak residence today at about 4 pm after a prolonged illness.

He was 76 and is survived by his wife Ibemnungshi and five children.

Fitting tributes are set to be paid to the mortal remains of the late former Chief Minister tomorrow morning before the body is consigned to the flames at 10 am.

Gun salutes will be given to pay respect to the departed soul.

RK Ranbir narrowly escaped death when he was shot and seriously wounded in November 1979.His health started deteriorating from 2002 due to Dementia and sub-dural Hematoma.

He also suffered from diabetes and was undergoing treatment at the Shija Hospitals and Research Institute since June 11, 2005, said Somorjit, the eldest son of Ranbir.

Politics came early to RK Ranbir and he was elected the general secretary of Johnstone Higher Secondary School at the age of 21.After completing his IA he took to politics like a duck to water and his early mentor was former Chief Minister L Thambou.

He formally joined politics in 1958 by becoming a member of the then undivided Congress.

In 1964 he was elected general secretary of the State unit of the Indian National Congress and also became the founder chairman of the Khadi Udyog and second president of Imphal Urban Co-operative bank.

From 1964 to 1974, he served as the editor of the Congress mouthpiece Simanta Patrika.

Contesting as the Congress candidate he was elected from the Keishamthong Assembly Constituency in 1975 and was inducted into the Ministry as the PWD Minister.

Later in 1976 he was made the Finance Minister.

In 1978 he was appointed as the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly and in 1988 he left the Congress and joined the MPP.

He served as the Chief Minister of Manipur heading an MPP led Government from 1990 to 1992.From 1995 to 1997 he was leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and from 2000, he retired from active politics due to his deteriorating health.

During his tenure as the PWD Minister he initiated the construction of the Imphal-Thanlon road, CCpur-Singhat road, IR orad and New Somtal road.

Manipur was declared a dry State during his tenure and this status remains unchanged even today.

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