Assembly pays tribute to late leaders

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on the first day of the autumn session on Friday paid tribute to at least seven leaders, including three from the State who passed away this year.
Speaking at the obituary reference, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma spoke about Onward L. Nongtdu, former Minister and Rajya Sabha member from Meghalaya.
While talking about his contributions to the State’s development, Sangma said Nongtdu, who was the Health Minister, helped him to get his resignation letter approved to enable him to join active politics.
Terming Nongtdu as a senior leader from whom he sought counsel and guidance, Sangma said his demise has left a vacuum and he would always be fondly remembered.
Leader of the Opposition Donkupar Roy, in his condolence message, said Nongtdu was a “popular and dynamic” leader and he was one of the few leaders who were always accessible to the common man.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh said Nongtdu was a fearless person who expressed his views clearly.
Sangma also expressed sorrow over the death of Nitya Narayan Simchang, the former BJP legislator from Dalu, who represented the Koch minority community of Meghalaya. The Chief Minister said both Simchang and he studied together as pre-university students in Shillong.
Later, Sangma spoke about the contributions of senior Congress leader and Minister from Assam Anjan Dutta and former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Kalikho Pul. Roy recalled his recent North East Democratic Alliance meeting with Pul in Guwahati.
Former Chief Ministers DD Lapang and Salseng C Marak joined the rest to pay homage to the departed souls. Lapang described Nongtdu as a “trusted friend of Late Captain William Sangma”. Salseng said Nongtdu had a knack for solving problems, so much so that he used to call him as the “wise man from the east.”
Some of the other members who took part in the obituary reference included Deputy Chief Minister RC Laloo, Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh and Jemino Mawthoh from the United Democratic Part and James Sangma from the National People’s Party.