Mizoram on October 2 bid farewell to the mortal remains of PIB and Central Bureau of Communication Additional Director General Dr Engam Pame and Aizawl Doordarshan Director (News) Nampibou Marinmai, who died in a road accident in the state. Their bodies were later airlifted to Manipur.
Mizoram Home Minister K Sapdanga, Education Minister Dr Vanlalthlana, Information and Public Relations Minister B Lalchhanzova and several media personnel attended the farewell ceremony.
Sapdanga expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and assured them that the Mizoram government would provide all possible assistance.
Calling their deaths a major loss for the media fraternity, the Home Minister said their sudden demise had left the media community deeply shocked and saddened.
Vanlalthlana described Pame and Marinmai as experienced and dedicated media professionals. Lalchhanzova said both officials had maintained a close working relationship with the state’s Information and Public Relations Department.
Former Lok Sabha MP and former Doordarshan Director General C Lalrosanga, who was also present at the ceremony, said the two officials had made important contributions to the growth of media in Mizoram and would be remembered for their work.
Marinmai, Pame and H Lianvela, a Multi-Tasking Staff member of the CBC Field Office in Aizawl, were killed after the car they were travelling in plunged into a deep gorge near Sataek village, around 30 km south of Aizawl, on Thursday.
The driver, Gojendro Dey of CBC Aizawl, survived the accident and is currently undergoing treatment at Zoram Medical College and Hospital in Falkawn.
Officials said the group was returning to Aizawl after planting a tree at Sialsuk village in memory of Pame’s brother, who had died in an accident.
Pame was in Mizoram for meetings related to the Inter Media Publicity Coordination Committee and work connected with the recruitment of a translator for PIB Aizawl.
According to Dey, the vehicle went off the road and fell into the gorge after he suddenly suffered a medical problem and was unable to move his body or open his eyes.
Mizoram Governor Vijay Kumar Singh, Chief Minister Lalduhoma, MNF president Zoramthanga and state Congress president Lal Thanzara were among those who expressed condolences over the deaths.
Following the farewell ceremony, the mortal remains of Pame and Marinmai were flown to Manipur by helicopter on Friday.