On the opening day of the autumn session of the Meghalaya Assembly, legislators across party lines paid their tributes to those former members who had passed away recently – Obil Kyndait, Dr PW Khongjee and Mihsalan Suchiang.
The obituary references were made before the sudden death of sitting Mawphlang MLA SK Sunn.
The Speaker, Metbah Lyngdoh, while paying his tributes said that he felt “guilty” since he kept postponing his plans to visit Suchiang due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Suchiang was a man of ethics and a man of words,” Lyngdoh said, adding that he was also a visionary,
Suchiang (79) was a three-time MLA from Mowkaiaw. He passed away on September 7 at his residence at Mukhap village in West Jaintia Hills. Suchiang was the father of sitting MLA Nujorki Sungoh.
On former Sohra MLA, Dr Khongjee, Lyngdoh said that he was a man who was always approachable.
Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma said that all the three former legislators were tall leaders.
Recounting his association with Dr Khongjee, the CM said that he had fond memories as members in the house when they were elected in 2008.
“He was not a man of many words. He was always smiling and never expressed anger,” Sangma said.
Leader of the opposition, Dr Mukul Sangma said that he was associated with Dr Khongjee since they were studying at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal.
“He was my senior but he was always available for consultations,” Dr Sangma said.
The opposition leader also said that as a legislator he understood the potential of Sohra as a tourist destination.
The leader of the opposition said that Suchiang was a politician who should be emulated.
“He maintained probity of a very high order in public life,” Dr Sangma said.
Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui recounted that Suchiang never moved out of the Assembly Hostel and into an official bungalow even after he was given the opportunity to do so.
Meanwhile, Umroi MLA George B Lyngdoh said that Dr Khongjee served the people of Ri-Bhoi well as a physician.
“Another remarkable feature was his dedication to his family and children,” Lyngdoh said.
