Former HPCC president Gian Chand Totu is dead

Shimla, June 20 (UNI) Veteran freedom fighter and Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) President Gian Chand Totu died at a hospital in Chandigarh, a day after he was seriously injured in a road accident on Monday, party and police sources said today.

He was 87. He is survived by a son and a grandson.

Mr Totu died at Fortis Hospital at Chandigarh late last night after being given first aid at Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) here following his accident on early Monday morning.

The legislator suffered serious head injuries after he fell down after being hit by a motorbike, which skidded over sleet, at Totu Chowk, near here, at about 0600 hrs on Monday after the motorcyclist applied brakes on coming face to face with him.

Totu, a Praja Mandal leader and freedom fighter was first elected to Punjab Vidhan Sabha in 1962 from Shimla and made a deputy minister.

He was elected to Rajya Sabha in 1974 and Himachal Assembly from Solan in 1985.

State Governor V S Kokje, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, HPCC President Viplove Thakur and Congress spokesman Kuldeep Singh Rathore and several others have expressed grief and sorrow over his death.

The Governor, in his message, conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul.

In his message, the Chief Minister said the freedom fighter had rendered invaluable services and would always be remembered by the people of the state.

He was a seasoned leader and an able administrator and dedicated for the welfare of the vulnerable sections of the society, he said.

Power Minister Vidya Stokes and HPCC President Viplove Thakur also expressed grief over his death.

UNI