Imphal: Manipur Assembly plegded, in memory of the late Rishang Keishing, to work for harmony between the people of the hills and the valleys.

 Recalling Congress leader Rishang Keishing’s “relentless efforts” to unite Manipur’s communities, members of the Assembly, cutting across party lines, on Wednesday pledged to maintain communal harmony in the state.

The Assembly, on the first day of its short winter session, condoled the demise of parliamentarian and former chief minister Rishang Keishing and three other MLAs, Khundongbam Jugeshwor Singh, Salam Damudor Singh and Th. Krishna Singh.

Keishing, who represented Manipur in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, beginning with the first Lok Sabha in 1952, passed away on August 23 this year at the age of 97, ending the chapter of the state’s most “accomplished” political leader.

Chief minister and leader of the House N. Biren Singh initiated the tribute paying session by pledging to follow Keishing’s advice to work relentlessly to bring emotional integration and bridge the hill-valley divide.

“When he was on his death bed, he wished me success in my endeavour as a chief minister to unite all the communities living in Manipur. I will work to fulfil his wish,” Biren, who called Keishing a guardian of the younger political leaders, said.

  Manipur, Northeast