SHILLONG, Feb 9: Former vice president of the National Council of Churches in India, Rev PBM Basaiawmoit passed away at Woodland Hospital in the city on Wednesday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 71.
He is survived by his wife, Phriassy Wahlang, two sons and a daughter. The funeral will be held at the Presbyterian Church cemetery at Mawpat at 12 noon on Friday.
Rev Basaiawmoit had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2009 on a HSPDP ticket and again in 2014 as an independent.
He was also appointed by the Centre as a mediator for peace talks with the proscribed HNLC.
Rev Basaiawmoit led an active social life and was engaged in activities concerning the church and Christian unity, interfaith relationships, environment and climate change, human rights, peace and justice initiatives, sustainable development and livelihoods initiatives.
An avid writer, he had attended numerous seminars, workshops, consultations and training programmes as resource person.
He was also the former Rangbah Shnong of Mawpat.
The Meghalaya People’s Committee on Aadhaar had condoled the demise of Rev Basaiawmoit. In a statement, the Committee said Basaiawmoit’s sudden demise has come as a great loss. It also remembered Basaiawmoit’s contributions to the state and the community.
“The committee prays for the departed soul and also for the bereaved family that they may find solace,” it said.