Three government information officials lost their lives on October 1 when the vehicle carrying them plunged into a gorge near Sialsuk in Mizoram while they were returning to Aizawl after a visit to the tourist destination.
Key Takeaways:
- Three government information officials, including Dr Engam Pame and Nampibou Marinmai, died after their vehicle fell into a gorge near Sialsuk.
- A Central Bureau of Communication staff member, H Lianwala, also died, while another person sustained serious injuries.
- Colleagues and the Ministry of Defence paid tribute to the officials for their public service and professional contributions.
Three government information officials died after the vehicle carrying them plunged into a gorge near Sialsuk in Mizoram on October 1, according to All India Radio News.
The deceased include Dr Engam Pame, Additional Director General of the Press Information Bureau regional office in Imphal; Nampibou Marinmai, Director (News) of Doordarshan Aizawl; and H Lianwala, a staff member of the Central Bureau of Communication in Aizawl.
Another person sustained serious injuries in the accident.
Officials said the group was returning to Aizawl after visiting Sialsuk, a tourist site located around 65 km from the state capital. The vehicle reportedly veered off a steep road near Sateek village before falling into the gorge.
The difficult terrain posed challenges for the rescue operation. Police personnel and volunteers from the Young Mizo Association took part in the rescue effort. They managed to save the driver and another injured person.
Tributes Follow Deaths of Information Officials
The deaths prompted condolences from senior officials and colleagues across government information and media circles.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of Dr Engam Pame, Nampibou Marinmai and H Lianwala.
In a condolence message, Vaishnaw remembered the three officials and conveyed his sympathies to their families, friends and colleagues.
The Ministry of Defence also mourned the death of Nampibou Marinmai. The ministry said Marinmai had served as Public Relations Officer (Defence) at Defence Public Relations headquarters and as Director of DD News Mizoram.
The ministry said Marinmai had maintained a long association with defence reporting. It also recalled his work in covering the Defence Forces and bringing their stories and achievements before the public.
The Ministry of Defence expressed condolences to Marinmai’s family and wished them strength during the period of grief.
IIS Forum Mourns Senior Officers
The IIS Forum also expressed grief over the deaths of Dr Engam Pame and Nampi Maranmai, along with the Central Bureau of Communication staff member.
The forum described the deaths as a tragic loss and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.
Dr Pame served as Additional Director General of PIB in Imphal. Marinmai served as Director of DD News in Mizoram.
The accident has drawn tributes from colleagues who remembered Marinmai for his gentle nature and work in defence coverage. Colleagues also recalled Pame’s long association with information-related responsibilities.
Rescue Effort at Difficult Terrain
The accident occurred after the group visited Sialsuk and began its return journey to Aizawl.
According to officials, the vehicle went off the steep road near Sateek village and fell into a gorge. The location made the rescue operation difficult.
Police and Young Mizo Association volunteers joined the effort. Their operation rescued the driver and another person who had suffered injuries.
The deaths of the three officials have led to mourning across government information services and media circles, with colleagues paying tribute to their professional contributions and public service.
