Meghalaya

The funeral of Shillong Lok Sabha MP Ricky Andrew J Syngkon, who passed away on the evening of February 19, will be held on Saturday, February 21, with friends, family, well-wishers and political leaders from across party lines expected to attend. The Meghalaya government has declared a holiday in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills in honour of the departed leader. The 54-year-old MP reportedly suffered a massive heart attack while playing futsal. He was initially rushed to Mawiong Community Health Centre (CHC) and later referred to Dr H Gordon Roberts Hospital in Jaiaw for further treatment. According to hospital authorities, Syngkon was brought in at 7:40 PM and was declared dead at 8:42 PM Doctors stated that he had no pulse on arrival and described it as a massive cardiac arrest.

Meghalaya has placed frontline health workers at the heart of India’s artificial intelligence (AI) ambitions, with the State Health Systems Resource Centre (SHSRC) Meghalaya presenting its “people-first” digital strategy at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Representing the state on a national platform, SHSRC Meghalaya joined global partners including the Gates Foundation India, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Evidence for Digital Transformation (EDiT), University of Cape Town, and the World Health Organization South-East Asia to make a strong case: digital competency — not just technology — must form the foundation of any AI-driven health reform. Opening the session, Valerie Laloo, State Nodal Officer, SHSRC, emphasised that the real strength of a health syst...

The Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district administration has ordered comprehensive fire safety audits across all categories of establishments, officials said on Friday. The directive was issued by Deputy Commissioner Rosetta Mary Kurbah, who said the audits will cover residential, commercial, educational and office buildings across the district. The decision comes amid concerns over repeated fire mishaps in the state, with Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Lahkmen Rymbui informing the assembly recently that 104 families have been affected by such accidents in the last five years. The directive was issued by Deputy Commissioner Rosetta Mary Kurbah, who stated that the audits will cover residential, commercial, educational and official buildings to ensure compliance with fire safe...

The Meghalaya Assembly today suspended all scheduled business, as legislators, led by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, paid tributes to Shillong MP Ricky A J Syngkon, who passed away on Thursday.Speaker Thomas A Sangma said the House would take up only obituary references during the day, as a mark of respect to the Voice of the People Party (VPP) leader.A revised calendar of sittings will be circulated later, he said. The Meghalaya budget for 2026-27 was scheduled to be presented in the Assembly on Friday.Syngkon, 54, reportedly collapsed while playing futsal on the outskits of the city, and doctors at a private hospital declared him dead around 8:45 pm on Thursday.The CM described Syngkon's death as a profound loss for Meghalaya."It is with a very deep sense of sorrow that I stand here to...

The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has rejected a resolution seeking to declare November 1 as a state holiday to commemorate the death anniversary of JJM Nicholas Roy, a key architect of the Sixth Schedule to the Indian Constitution. MDC Ricky Shullai moved the resolution, highlighting Roy’s contributions to the constitutional safeguards and autonomy of tribal areas. However, the resolution was rejected when most MDCs rose to oppose it. Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh stated that declaring a state holiday was unnecessary, instead urging everyone to honor Roy’s legacy by following his footsteps. “It is not necessary to declare a state holiday in memory of (L) JJM Nicholas Roy, but instead, let us follow his footsteps to honour and remember him,” Lyngdoh s...

Taking a stern view of the illegal coal mining tragedy in East Jaintia Hills, the Meghalaya High Court on Thursday directed the incumbent District Superintendent of Police (SP), Pankaj Rasgania, and his predecessor, Vikash Kumar, to appear personally before the court next week. The directive was issued by a division bench comprising Justice Wanlura Diengdoh and Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the catastrophic blast at an illegal mine in the Thangsku area. While the incumbent SP, Pankaj Rasgania—who took charge only last week—was present during Thursday’s proceedings, the court insisted on the presence of the former SP, Vikash Kumar, to provide clarity on the timeline of illegal activities leading up to the inciden...

The Meghalaya government has declared a holiday on Saturday across all districts falling under the Shillong Parliamentary Constituency as a mark of respect to the late Shillong MP Dr Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon, who passed away on Thursday evening. Announcing the decision during an obituary reference in the Assembly, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the government had decided to convert what was originally scheduled as a working day into a holiday within the entire parliamentary constituency. He explained that the decision was taken to allow people to participate in the funeral, which is most likely to be held tomorrow, based on information received by the government. The Chief Minister said the late MP was not just the representative of Shillong or of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, bu...

Ricky AJ Syngkon, the Lok Sabha MP from Shillong in Meghalaya, died on the evening of February 19 from a heart attack at the age of 54. One of the state's two MPs in the lower house, his passing has triggered an outpouring of grief from leaders across the political spectrum. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led the tributes, posting on X: "Saddened by the passing of Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon, Lok Sabha MP from Shillong, Meghalaya. His commitment to public service and the people of Meghalaya will be remembered with respect. My condolences to his family, friends, and supporters." Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed the sentiment, highlighting Syngkon's long-term dedication. In his X post, Modi stated: "Saddened by the passing of Lok Sabha MP from Shillong, Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon. He will be rememb...

Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and Lok Sabha MP, expressed his condolences following the untimely death of Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon, the MP from Shillong and a founding member of the Voice of the People Party (VPP). Syngkon, 54, collapsed on a football field shortly after a phone call about a game. Banerjee highlighted Syngkon's dedication to public service and his commitment to the welfare of his constituents, noting his accessible and grounded approach. His death is considered a significant loss for Meghalaya and the broader democratic community. Syngkon, elected in 2024 by a significant margin against veteran Congress politician Vincent H. Pala, was actively involved in advocating for the region's people, particularly in the Khas...

An emergency meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly was convened on Friday at 9:30 am following the sudden demise of Shillong MP, Dr. Ricky AJ Syngkon. Addressing reporters, Speaker Thomas A. Sangma said the BAC, with the consent of the government, decided to adjourn the House for the day, as the Budget presentation had been scheduled for Friday. He informed that a revised legislative calendar is currently being prepared and will be placed before the House on Monday for its approval. "Most likely, the Budget presentation will now take place on Monday," he said. The Speaker further stated that an obituary reference would be made in the House on Friday, after which the Assembly would be adjourned. Lok Sabha MP from Shillong, Dr. Ricky AJ...