Prayer service for Purno;CM pays tribute

Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma paying his tribute to late Purno Agitok Sangma at his residence in Tura..... — ***Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma paying his tribute to late Purno Agitok Sangma at his residence in Tura…..***

TURA, MAR 6: A prayer service for late Purno Agitok Sangma began at 6:30 pm at his residence in Tura which was attended by

..... chief minister consoling former Lok Sabha MP Agatha Sangma, youngest daughter of the departed leader — ***….. chief minister consoling former Lok Sabha MP Agatha Sangma, youngest daughter of the departed leader***

all visiting dignitaries and people who came to bid adieu to the departed leader even as preparations are afoot for the state funeral for the political giant of the north eastern region and Garo hills in particular.

Late Sangma will be accorded state funeral tomorrow at Dikki Bandi stadium in Tura and laid to rest.

The official programme will begin from his residence at 10 am and the state funeral ceremony from 11 am. The mass service, which was earlier schedule at Sacred Heart Parish, will be held at Cathedral Church in RC Road.

A host of dignitaries and politicians from different parts of northeast are expected to attend the funeral ceremony.

Elaborate arrangements are being made at the stadium with Meghalaya police personnel doing their rehearsal for the 21-gun salute, which will be given to Sangma with full state honours.

Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma, his cabinet colleagues, Nagaland home minister, Nagaland speaker, Lok Sabha MP from Nagaland Neiphiu Rio and other dignitaries will be present to bid final farewell to Sangma, amidst the presence of people of Garo hills.

Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma, deputy chief ministers – Rowell Lyngdoh, RC Laloo, sports and youth affairs minister Zenith Sangma, Home Minister Roshan Warjri, Rajya Sabha MP from Meghalaya Wansuk Syiem, chief advisor to the government of Meghalaya D D Lapang, Lok Sabha MP from Guwahati Bijoya Chakroborthy and a host of other dignitaries paid homage to Purno Sangma at his residence in Tura today.

Mukul after laying the floral wreath showed his respect to Purno Sangma by saluting his mortal remains. He spent about an hour at his residence and spoke to the bereaved family members.

Purno’s 93-year-old elder brother Hamerson Agitok Sangma also paid his homage to his younger brother. He was seen seated near the casket interacting with visitors and shared stories.-From Our Correspondent