Veteran journalist Madan Mantoo dies in Jammu
The 74-year-old former deputy director of the Jammu and Kashmir Information and Public Relations Department passed away following a cardiac arrest.
Veteran journalist Madan Lal Mantoo died of a cardiac arrest in the early hours of Wednesday, according to the Kashmir Observer.
His son, Vikas Mantoo, said that the 74-year-old felt unwell late on Tuesday night and was taken to a hospital, where he died around 4 am.
Originally from Baramulla in north Kashmir, Mantoo held several roles within the Jammu and Kashmir government's Information Department. His previous positions included serving as a press officer for former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and working as a public relations director at Raj Bhawan.
After retiring from government service at age 58, Mantoo remained active in journalism as an executive editor for a prominent Jammu-based newspaper. He also led the National Conference's Jammu Media Cell and acted as its provincial spokesperson for many years.
The Department of Information and Public Relations held a meeting to mourn his death, attended by Director Information Mamta Yadav and other senior officials. They described him as an inspiring mentor and an affable colleague.
National Conference provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta was among the many media members, government officials, and political leaders who attended the cremation.