SHILLONG: Condolences have begun pouring in from different corners of the State and the country ever since the news of P.A. Sangma’s demise was announced on Friday morning.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Sarbananda Sonowal, expressed grief at the sudden demise of P.A. Sangma.
In his condolence message, Sonowal said Sangma was a ‘Pole Star’ in the vast expanse of Indian politics. “A strong promoter of value-based politics, his name will be ever remembered for bringing the issues and concerns of the North-East into the national spotlight,” Sonowal said. He also added that the new generation should follow his example and work towards a progressive society.
The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) which is currently governed by Late Sangma’s NPP party held a condolence meeting attended by sitting MDCs and the employees.
“His demise has come as a shock to us all and it will leave a vacuum in our lives. His virtues and contribution for the people cannot be measured nor compared. With his death we have lost a visionary and dynamic leader,” said CEM Denang T Sangma in his condolence message to the family on behalf of the district council.
A two minute silence was observed at the council during the condolence meet and a holiday declared for the rest of the afternoon in honour of Sangma.
Former Governor of Meghalaya and Assam, Dr. Bhishma Narain Singh, also conveyed his grief at the sudden death of Purno Sangma, whom he referred to as “an old ally with whom I devoted long years in the economic & cultural integration of North Eastern states”.
“Today I remember him deploying his public speaking and oratory skills to espousing and advocating the cause of all-round development of North Eastern states, the former Governor said.
“I offer my condolences to Agatha Sangma the inheritor of P.A. Sangma’s legacy as a crusader for rights and upliftment of North Eastern people,” he added in his condolence message.
Daryl William Ch Momin, grandson of first Chief Minister of Meghalaya Capt. Williamson Sangma, who had contested against P.A. Sangma for the Tura Lok Sabha seat during the 2014 general elections, expressed shock at the leader’s death.
“It is a great loss to the State, the people of the North East and the nation. A leader whose name we have been hearing for as many years as we can remember has contributed so much for the region. His name has almost become a synonym for politics in this region,” Momin said.
“Being the last person to have contested against this great leader, I have no regrets losing to him. I am honored and blessed to have known him. He was truly a blessing to Garo Hills and I will miss him,” he added in his condolence message.
The Post Graduate Students’ Union (PGSU) of NEHU Tura campus has expressed shock on the sudden death of P.A. Sangma. “It is a great loss to the Garo community, Meghalaya and the entire country. He was also a contributor to NEHU Tura Campus,” informed PGSU president Silning D Sangma.
The Tura Bar Association, with whom Late P.A. Sangma was closely associated for many years since the time he began practicing law, have also expressed their shock and grief at the sudden demise of Sangma.
“Late P.A. Sangma was a person having sterling qualities of head and heart and was active and cheerful nature and a man with a quality of being a leader. The Tura Bar Association and the State has lost a great asset whose loss appears irreparable,” stated the association.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday, NEIGRIHMS Director A.G. Ahangar conveyed his condolence over the death of the sitting Tura MP and former Lok Sabha speaker.
The Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association also sent its condolence over the sudden demise of P.A. Sangma. In a statement release to the media, the Association said he was one of the tallest politicians to have served the State and the North Eastern region.
The Garo Students’ Union Nagaland Zone and the FKJGP Bajengdoba Circle also expressed shock and sadness at the sudden demise of Late P.A. Sangma. They described Sangma as a visionary leader and a strongman in politics from the North East region who worked tirelessly and selflessly for the development and upliftment of the region.
Meanwhile, the Central Puja Committee Meghalaya held an emergency meeting to condole the sudden demise of P.A. Sangma in Delhi.
The USTM and the ERD Foundation along with the entire ERDF family consisting of all constituent institutions expressed profound grief and shock at the sudden demise of P.A. Sangma. Students, faculties, deans & high officials of University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) & Regional Institute of Science & Technology (RIST), paid homage and prayed to the Almighty for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
