D D Thakur passes away

Jammu, Feb 4: Former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and ex-governor of Asom, Devi Dass Thakur died last night at PGI Chandigarh. He was 78.

Thakur, who was on dialysis following cardiac arrest, breathed his last at 2030 hrs, sources said.

He is survived by his wife Saraswati Thakur, two sons and five daughters.

His body would be cremated here at the Jogi gate this afternoon.

Meanwhile, the bar association, Jammu has declared a three-day mourning to pay homage to Thakur.

Several distinguished citizens, including Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, have condoled the demise.

Thakur was born in 1930 at village Batroo in Ramban tehsil of Doda district.

He became judge of the state High Court in 1973, but resigned later to join the cabinet of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, former Prime Minister of the state, in 1975 as Finance Minister after the Indira-Sheikh accord.

He served as deputy Chief Minister of the state from 1984-86 in G M Shah's government.

In 1989, when V P Singh's government came to power at the centre, Thakur was appointed as the Governor of Asom and was later given additional charge of Arunachal Pradesh.

He also served as the chairman of economic council of seven north-eastern states. He resigned as Governor in 1991.

He also wrote an autobiography -- 'my life- years in Kashmir politics'.

UNI