By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, Assembly Speaker AT Mondal and a host of other dignitaries joined in condoling the death of Chokpot legislator Clifford Marak, who passed away on Saturday morning.
The Chief Minister, who rushed to Tura and visited the bereaved family, said the State has lost a stalwart in the death of Marak.
“His demise will definitely leave a vacuum which is difficult to fill,” Sangma said over phone while adding, “He had a chequered career right from days as a student leader, as a MDC and then as a MLA.
Sangma also acknowledged the vast contribution that Marak made to the State.
“He has been a humble servant to the people of the State in general and the Garos in particular,” he said.
The Chief Minister also attended Marak’s funeral service in the evening.
Speaker AT Mondal, while condoling the death of Marak, recalled his long and close association with him.
“It is a personal loss for me as a friend and a great loss for the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
He was very active in the Assembly. In the past we were in various House committees and learnt a lot from him,” the Speaker said.
Mondal also said the Late Legislator used to frequently meet him in his chamber.
“Hence I will miss him more,” he added.
The Speaker who met the bereaved family members, also expressed his condolence to them on behalf of all the members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Echoing similar thoughts, former Lok Sabha Speaker and sitting Tura MP, Purno A Sangma said, “Late Clifford R Marak was a true nationalist and patriot who spent his entire life fighting and struggling for the rights of the common man.”
Acknowledging his contribution towards the betterment of the State, Sangma said, “He also spearheaded the movement for Garoland. It is a great loss not just for Garo hills but for the entire State.”
Deputy Speaker and State NCP president Sanbor Shullai also expressed shock over the untimely death of Marak. “With his demise, we have lost an illustrious son and leader of the State, who was full of ideas and vision,” Shullai said in a letter addressed to his wife Kalpana D Sangma and children.
Andrew Simons, Commissioner and Secretary, Assembly said he will always remember the simplicity, open-heartedness, and warmth of Marak, who was like a fatherly figure to him.
He also recalled with fondness working with him in the Assembly Secretariat, and said that he will miss him in the House.
The State has lost a stalwart in his (Clifford Marak’s) death: Mukul Sangma
Clifford Marak spent his life fighting and struggling for the rights of the common man: Purno Sangma