SHILLONG: Following the sudden demise of Shillong Member of Parliament Dr. Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon, the Meghalaya Government has declared Saturday as a holiday across all districts falling under the Shillong Parliamentary Constituency.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma made the announcement on Friday as a mark of respect to the late MP, allowing citizens to pay their final respects and participate in his funeral services scheduled for Saturday.
The Chief Minister shared the decision during an obituary reference in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. He informed the House that Saturday, which was earlier designated as a compensatory working day, will now be observed as a holiday in all districts under the Shillong Lok Sabha constituency, covering the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.
“We are awaiting the final notification, but we have been informed that the funeral will take place on Saturday. As a government, we have decided to declare a holiday in all districts of the Shillong Parliamentary Constituency to honour his memory and allow the public to attend the funeral,” Sangma stated.
“A Great Loss” for Meghalaya
Expressing deep sorrow over the untimely passing of Dr. Syngkon, the Chief Minister described it as a major loss not only for Shillong but for the entire state.
He noted that although Dr. Syngkon represented Shillong in the Lok Sabha, his efforts and advocacy extended to the welfare of all regions of Meghalaya.
“He was a representative in the Lok Sabha not only for Shillong or the Khasi-Jaintia region but for the entire state. Therefore, this is a great loss for all of us,” Sangma added.
