IMPHAL, March 3: Ex-minister and member of the state Assembly during the period 1972 to1980 from the Thongju constituency, Oinam Tomba died at his Nameirakpam Leikai residence under Thongju constituency. He was 61 and died as a bachelor. Known for his belief in a united Northeastern region under a unified state called 'Brachin', he pioneered in demanding more autonomy to the Northeastern region. Apart from being a political figure, Tomba was also known for his aptitude in sports and journalism. O Tomba was also closely associated with the Manipur Table Tennis Association and other sports organisations. He was the first chief editor of the fortnightly Phiral, published during his prime time as a journalist. The state Governor, Ved Prakash Marwah has expressed deep sorrow at the demise of the late pioneer and have expressed his condolences to the bereaved family. The Governor in his condolence message describe O Tomba as a champion in the fight for the cause of the oppressed and downtrodden people. The Assembly Speaker Sapam Dhananjoy in his condolence message has also expressed deep sorrow at O Tomba's death and noted his contributions to the Thongju constituency during his tenure as an MLA. The Speaker said, the demise of O Tomba has left a vacuum in our society which will be hard to fill.