Former Biramitrapur MLA and tribal leader George Tirkey passes away at 67

Bhubaneswar, Sept 20: Former Biramitrapur MLA George Tirkey, a prominent tribal and labour leader of Odisha, passed away at the age of 67. His death was confirmed by his son on Saturday. Tirkey had been ailing for the past few months and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, where he breathed his last. His last rites will be performed at his ancestral village, Jhunmur, in Sundargarh district.
Tirkey enjoyed a long and remarkable political career, representing the Biramitrapur constituency in the Odisha Legislative Assembly on four occasions — 1995, 2000, 2009, and 2014. He had contested elections under different political banners, including the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the Samata Kranti Dal, and also as an independent candidate. Known for his unwavering commitment, he emerged as a strong voice for tribal rights and labour welfare in the state.
His passing has created a void in Odisha’s tribal leadership. Several political leaders, colleagues, and social activists have expressed deep sorrow, recalling his dedication to uplifting marginalized communities. Tirkey will be remembered as a leader who consistently championed the cause of the underprivileged.
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