By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Assembly on Thursday paid tribute to late former Minister and Mawkyrwat legislator Bires B Nongsiej who passed away on April 9.
While taking part in the customary obituary reference, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma termed Nongsiej as a thorough gentleman.
“The demise of former Mawkyrwat legislator is a great loss to the State since he was a leader who made enormous contributions for the overall development of the State. His demise would definitely leave a vacuum,” Dr Sangma said.
Opposition leader Dr Donkupar Roy recalled his long association with late Nongsiej. “I still remember that we were first elected together to the Assembly in 1988. We became great friends later on,” Dr Roy said.
Former Chief Minister Saleng C Marak termed Nongsiej as a good legislator. “His simplicity and his down to earth nature were among his greatest qualities,” Marak said.
Deputy Chief Minister and Mawkyrwat legislator Rowell Lyngdoh said that he shared a unique bond with late Nongsiej since they are the only two people who have represented Mawkyrwat since Meghalaya attained its statehood.
“In the past many years, the constituency would either be represented by me or Nongsiej. With the demise of the former Minister, there would be a new face representing the constituency in the future since this is also my last term,” Lyngdoh said.
Assembly Speaker
AT Mondal who also took part in the customary obituary reference said that he too shared a personal bonding with the late former Minister.
Besides Nongsiej, the members of the House also paid tributes to former Bihar Minister Kubert Ranjan Jha and former Assam Minister Ravindranath Choudhury who expired in the early part of this month.
Members of the House expressed grief over the demise of the leaders and conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families.
A two minutes silence was also observed as a mark of respect for the departed souls.