Meghalaya govt declares 2-day mourning as mark of respect to

The Meghalaya government declared a 7-day state mourning as a mark of respect to it former chief minister Purno A Sangma, who died today.
Expressing shock over the passing away of the former Lok Sabha Speaker, an emotional Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said the state government has declared a seven-day state mourning in honour of the former Union minister whose demise has left an "irreplaceable loss".
Assembly Speaker Abu Taher Mondal broke the news of his demise immediately after the Governor's address on the first day of the Budget session.
"One of the stalwarts of this House, who was a member of Lok Sabha passed away this morning in New Delhi," he said.

The Speaker also cut short today sitting and announced that the House will remain adjourned on the day of Sangma's funeral to facilitate members to attend, a proposal made by the chief minister.
The CM said he is "perturbed and deeply grieved" at the loss of the top leader.

He said that he had directed the Chief Secretary to keep in constant touch with Meghalaya House in Delhi and the family to facilitate all necessary arrangements.
Recalling P A Sangma's contribution, Mukul said, "No leader from this part of the country has achieved such an extraordinary innings in political and public life" and described him as an "incomparable" man who made the state known to the rest of the country.

The Chief Minister is believed to have been groomed by Sangma himself. Both had a long association right from the time when Sangma attended a school where the former's parents were teachers in Ampati in South West Garo Hills district.
Leader of the Opposition and president of United Democratic Party Donkupar Roy said he realised that Sangma was an exceptional leader that the state ever produced when he met him first in 1988.
Roy recalled the contribution made by Sangma as a Union Cabinet minister, Speaker of Lok Sabha and as the chief minister of the state, besides as a member of the legislative assembly.

(REOPENS DEL47)
Condoling Sangma's death, D D Lapang, Chief Adviser to the Meghalaya government and state Congress president, said he had a "global mindset".
"He was not narrow and selfish. He was also fast in thinking and decisive too. PA has demonstrated his ability, dreams and determination to be great, rightly equipped with a vision, mission and determination," Lapang said.
Hills State Peoples Democratic Party president Ardent Basaiawmoit said the state has lost one of the tallest leaders it has ever produced. He also recalled Sangma's sense of humour.
"He was ever ready to share his experiences (as a seasoned politician). The state today lost one of the tallest leaders it has ever produced," he said.

State Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said, "He was witty, intelligent and was a committed leader."
She recalled her association with Sangma who was her father's friend. "He was a man who dared to live his dreams and whose agenda was real and focused," the minister said.