Jharkhand Minister dies, 2 years after lung transplant due to covid

Jharkhand Education Minister Jagarnath Mahto died during treatment at a hospital in Chennai this morning. The 56-year-old leader had undergone lung transplant in Chennai after contracting Covid in November 2020.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren confirmed the senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader's death and called it an "irreparable damage".

May God give peace to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this difficult hour of grief, added the Chief Minister.

Mr Mahto, who represented the Dumri assembly seat in Giridih four times, was airlifted to Chennai after he fell ill during the state budget session last month.

He is survived by a son and four daughters. The state government has declared a two-day mourning period and also cancelled a cabinet meeting scheduled this evening.