7-day State mourning declared

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya government has declared a week-long mourning to pay tribute to Tura MP and former Lok Sabha Speaker P.A. Sangma, who passed away in Delhi on Friday.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma announced in the Assembly on the first day of the Budget session that seven-day mourning will be observed in the State from Friday in view of the sudden demise of the ‘great son of the soil’.
Meanwhile, the Under Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, General Administration (A) Department has informed that as a mark of respect for the departed leader, the National Flag will be flown at half mast from March 4 on all buildings where it is flown regularly since the State is observing seven- day mourning.
Earlier, the chief minister also said that the House may not sit on the day of the funeral of P.A. Sangma as many legislators would like to attend the funeral.
The chief minister who moved a Resolution to condole the death of the Tura MP in the Assembly said that the loss is irreparable.
Opposition leader Donkupar Roy, who was the chief minister supported by Purno when MPA was in power in 2009, said he was an exceptional leader.
The House, cutting across party lines expressed sorrow over the sudden demise of the political stalwart.