last respects to the departed leader, on Friday. (ST)
NEWDELHI/ SHILLONG: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed grief at the death of former Union Minister P.R. Kyndiah and extended his condolences to the bereaved family.
The prime minister described late Kyndiah as a popular leader who worked tirelessly for Meghalaya and the Northeast.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya government has declared state mourning for three days from Friday as a mark of respect to late Kyndiah.
“During the period of state mourning there will be no official entertainment and the national flag will be flown at half mast at all government establishments throughout the state. A state funeral will be held on March 29,” the under secretary, General Administration Department, informed on Friday.
The Mizoram government has also announced a three-day state mourning in honour of late Kyndiah who was a former governor of the state and Brig. T. Sailo, ex-chief minister of the state who passed away on Friday morning.
The two Congress MPs from the state – Vincent H Pala and Wansuk Syiem – condoled the demise of the veteran Congress leader and former union minister.
In a condolence message, Pala said that the void that Kyndiah has left in Meghalaya can never be filled. He recalled the veteran’s relentless fight for tribal rights and formation of Meghalaya as a separate state.
The Rajya Sabha member recalled that Kyndiah had served in many top positions both within the state and outside during his long innings in politics. “His services to the people and contributions to the state can never be forgotten,” she said in a statement.
Meghalaya Assembly Speaker A.T. Mondal expressed shock and sorrow over the sudden demise of Kyndiah.
In a condolence message to the bereaved family, the Speaker said that Meghalaya and the country have been enriched with the contributions that Kyndiah had made for the interest of the people.
“In his passing away, the state has lost a great leader,” the Speaker said, while offering his condolence on behalf of all the legislators, officers and staff of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
The State NPP also offered condolences to the family members of late Kyndiah.
“We are deeply saddened by his demise which is a great loss for Meghalaya. Late Kyndiah was and always will be one of the tallest leaders Meghalaya has ever produced. We wish to convey our heartfelt prayers for the bereaved family,” NPP spokesperson and legislator James Sangma said in a statement.
The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee held a condolence meeting on Friday and expressed profound grief and sorrow at the sudden demise of its senior party leader.
The meeting, while paying glorious tributes to late Kyndiah, recalled how he as one of the veteran leaders of the Hill State Movement had contributed to the creation of Meghalaya.
Former Chief Minister S.C. Marak, Home Minister
Roshan Warjri and other party leaders including A.H. Scott Lyngdoh and John F. Kharshiing, observed that the vacuum caused due to his sudden demise would be difficult to fill.
MPCC president D.D. Lapang recalled his personal association with late Kyndiah and placed on record his various contributions not only in the socio-political scenario but also his contributions as a prolific writer.
The meeting also observed two minutes of silence and prayed to the Almighty for eternal peace of the departed soul. The MPCC further expressed condolences to the bereaved family.