Shillong, September 21 : A resident of Meghalaya has made a stirring appeal to the present state government, calling for the erection of commemorative statues of the state’s storied first Chief Minister, the late Captain William A Sangma, in every district.
Vincent Tegite Sangma, a resident of Tura in the West Garo Hills district, argued that Captain Sangma’s significant contributions to the state deserved a befitting tribute. He proposed that installing statues across Meghalaya would forever etch in history Sangma’s love and dedication for the state.
Captain Sangma served as Meghalaya’s first Chief Minister from 1972 to 1978, and again from 1981 to 1983, 1983 to 1988. Sangma was instrumental in the creation of the Meghalaya state in 1954, separating it from Assam. The tribal statesman spearheaded the campaign for a new state, home to the ancient hill communities of Garo, Jaintia, and Khasi. He also held the unique distinction of being the first Governor of Mizoram from the Garo community, a position he assumed in 1989.
Vincent Sangma’s appeal has found resonance among many Meghalayans, who have expressed their support for the initiative.
