Veteran journalist S D Rohmetra passes away

Rohmetra, who was ailing for the past one week, died at AIIMS in New Delhi this morning.

He was 72 years.

He leaves behind wife Usha Rohmetra and four children.

Joining United News of India (UNI), Rohmetra later rose to become its Bureau Chief of J&K from 1969 to 1993.

He launched his own newspaper 'Daily Excelsior', which became the leading newspaper of Jammu and Kashmir. He was printer, publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the English daily published from Jammu.

His body is being flown from New Delhi to Jammu, where his cremation would take place at Shashtri Nagar Cremation ground at 6 PM.

Meanwhile, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief on the veteran journalist's death.

"The society has lost a friend and a noble soul. His passing away has created void in journalist fraternity which is very difficult to be filled up," Omar said.

While conveying his condolence to the Rohmetra family, he said, "People will miss him as their friend and as a writer and editor of quality."