MAWKYRWAT: Condolences started pouring in for Spility Lyngdoh Langrin (95), anti-uranium activist from South West Khasi Hills, who passed away on Wednesday at her home.
Taking to Facebook, environmental activist, Bremly Wanbantei B Lyngdoh, said, “We lost our Wonder Woman at 11:30 tonight. May her warrior soul journey well to the stars, and we will build upon her legacy and protect her land for generations to come”. Lyngdoh also shared a picture with a caption stating that she turned down Rs 45 crore offered by UCIL, stating that money will not buy her freedom.
On the other hand, the Khasi Student’s Union (KSU), who spearheaded the campaign against uranium mining in the state, took to Facebook and said, “With a heavy heart, we inform you that Mei-ieit Spility Lyngdoh Langrin is no more with us. The matriarch withstood the onslaught of UCIL and its agents to forcibly mine uranium in Meghalaya. May her soul rest in peace”.
Meanwhile, the Union’s South West Khasi Hills District unit said, “We are mourning the sudden demise of our beloved Mei-ieit, our ‘Iron Lady’ of the anti-nuclear war and the fight against uranium mining. The epitome of freedom and undaunted principle is no more with us. A sad moment indeed. May her soul rest in peace”.
CSWO leaders — Agnes Kharshiing and Evangeline Thabah — also conveyed their condolences to the family members of Late Spility.
Cabinet Minister Hamletson Dohling, who recently visited her during his visit to Nongbah Jynrin, too, condoled her demise. The ‘Iron Lady’, as she was known, was vehemently against uranium mining.
In the condolence message, Dohling echoed the KSU to state that then government administration/company had asked her to give away her land for uranium mining in Domiasiat in exchange for huge sum of money, but the offer was refused.
Dohling said that Spility’s death is not just a loss to her family members but the Khasi community as a whole, adding that she will always be remembered.