HT Bureau
DIPHU, March 10: The hill district of Karbi Anglong is in mourning following the demise of Biren Singh Engti, a veteran politician, former Union Minister and one of the longest-serving tribal leaders from Assam. Engti passed away at the Guwahati Health City Hospital at 7:45 AM on Tuesday due to cardiac arrest and a brain haemorrhage. He was 81.
His mortal remains were brought from Guwahati to his residence in Rongmongve, Diphu, this afternoon, where they were received by grieving family members, party workers and a sea of well-wishers.
Related Posts:
According to his younger sister, Ingle (Lolita) Engtipi, the former MP’s health took a sudden turn on Sunday, March 8. After going to the bathroom in the morning, attendants became concerned when he did not emerge. Upon opening the door, they found him semi-conscious on the floor.
He was immediately rushed to Diphu Medical College, where doctors identified a blood clot in the brain resulting from the fall. On medical advice, he was shifted to Guwahati for advanced treatment. Despite the best efforts of the medical team at Guwahati Health City Hospital, Engti breathed his last on Tuesday morning.
In honour of the departed leader, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) has declared a two-day holiday on March 10 and 11. All government offices under KAAC jurisdiction will remain closed, though educational institutions will continue to function as usual.
The Karbi Anglong District Congress Committee (KADCC) has lowered the party flag to half-mast at its headquarters and various block offices. KADCC president Raton Engti described the loss as “irreparable,” stating, “As the first and longest-serving MP from the twin hill districts, he embodied Gandhian principles. He was the very foundation of our party in this region and remained a dedicated Congressman until his last breath.”
Biren Singh Engti’s political career was defined by its longevity and loyalty. He was a five-term Member of Parliament, representing the Diphu (ST) constituency in 1977, 1984, 2004, 2009 and 2014.
He served as the Union Minister of State during the tenure of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and was the Chief Executive Member (CEM) and Chairman of the erstwhile Karbi Anglong District Council.
A founding member of the Congress in Karbi Anglong, he served as the District president for several terms between the early 1980s and 2006.
The current CEM of KAAC expressed deep condolences, noting that Engti played a pivotal role in shaping the political discourse of the hill districts and representing the aspirations of the Karbi people on the national stage.
Born on March 2, 1945, to late Kangther Engti and late Banre Tokbipi in Baroi Rongpi village, Engti was a scholar-politician. He was an alumnus of Nowgong College and held an MA and LLB from Gauhati University.
Beyond politics, his contributions to the infrastructure and social fabric of Diphu were significant. He was instrumental in bringing the All India Radio Station, the Railway Station, Jawaharlal Nehru Vidyalaya (JNV) and Kendriya Vidyalaya to Diphu.
He was the founding president of the Karbi Riso Adorbar (Karbi Youth Organisation) and established the Reenu Terangpi Memorial College in Diphu in memory of his late wife.
Engti is survived by his siblings and a vast political family. As evening fell in Diphu, a large number of people continued to gather at his residence to pay their final respects to a man who the face of Karbi Anglong was, for many, for nearly half a century.
