Three-time Ladakhi parliamentarian P Namgyal dies of coronavirus

Yangchan Dolma

Leh, June 1

Senior Congress leader of Leh and former Union Minister P Namgyal (83) died on Monday at SNM hospital here.

He was tested positive for Covid-19. The district administration has advised all the contacts with the family to remain in quarantine without exemptions.

His elder daughter Dr Diskit Dolma has said he was briefly ill and was taken to the district’s SNM Hospital last night, where he breathed his last.

The three-time Member of Parliament from Ladakh, P Namgyal who served minister of state for Parliamentary Affairs, Surface Transport and Chemicals and Petro chemicals in the Rajiv Gandhi government, is survived by wife and three daughters.

Territorial Congress Committee, Leh organised a condolence meeting in Leh and offered tributes to his portrait.

Addressing the condolence meeting, president Nawang Rigzin Jora said late P Namgyal is the most senior leader of Ladakh after Khushok Bakula Rinpoche and he has contributed to Ladakh in different capacities.

He said the late leader is known for his role in achieving the ST status for Ladakhi and as well as LAHDC Leh, which was stepping stone for UT.

Namgyal was born in Summor, Nubra, in the family of Stakna and was younger brother of Col Chewang Rinchen. He had served Agriculture Research Officer for a short period of time before joining in public life in 1969.