Raymond Kharmujai 

Shillong, July 28: Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Dr. Donkupar Roy, who was successfully elected for seventh consecutive times and was once a Chief Minister, passed away at Mendanta hospital in Gurugram on Sunday. He was 64. 
The economist-turner politician was flown in an air ambulance to Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi on July 18 due to acute diabetes leading to multiple organ failure,  Roy’s close-aide said. 
The body of Roy, who is the president of United Democratic Party (UDP), a key partner in the ruling National People’s Party -led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, will be flown back on Monday morning where his last rites will be performed. 
The Meghalaya government has declared three days of state mourning and state holiday on the day of funeral as mark of respect to the departed legislator. 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor Tathagata Roy, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Nagaland Chief Minister, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, Leader  of opposition Mukul Manda Sangma and T.R.Zeliang has condoled the sudden demise of Roy. 
Anguished by the demise of Roy, Modi tweeted, “Passionate about Meghalaya's progress, he served the state with great diligence and helped transform many lives. Condolences to his family and supporters.”
“Deeply saddened to know of the unfortunate and untimely death of Donkupar Roy (64).

He was the Speaker of Meghalaya legislative assembly,a former Chief Minister of Meghalaya and the President of the United Democratic Party. RIP, Om Shanti,” Governor Tathagata Roy tweeted. 

Saddened by the untimely demise of Roy, Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma tweeted, “
We have lost a leader, a mentor, who had dedicated his life for the service of the people. May Almighty provide strength to his family in this hour of grief. May his soul rest in peace.”
“We have lost a leader- rare and simple, down to earth and steadfast in his commitment and dedication to serve the state and the people as a whole and left a great vacuum in the state’s and region’s socio-political spectrum,” leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma said. 
Roy was first elected to the 60-member Meghalaya assembly from Shella constituency, bordering Bangladesh as an Independent MLA on 1988 with the ardent support of the then Alliance Reconstruction of Meghalaya State, a political body of the influential Khasi Students' Union.
He was first appointed as Minister of State in the B.B. Lyngdoh ministry and then served in various capacities in the state.
After a fractured mandate in Meghalaya’s 2008 assembly elections, Roy was sworn in as Chief Minister on March 19, 2018 but his government was dismissed exactly one year to complete his one year term and the state was put under President's Rule. 
Roy was also the founding president of Border Youth and Students' Union.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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