Shillong, Feb 21: 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 members, well-wishers and political leaders from across party lines expected to attend.
The Government of Meghalaya has declared a holiday in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills in honour of the departed leader.
Syngkon, 54, reportedly suffered a massive heart attack while playing futsal. He was first rushed to Mawiong Community Health Centre and later referred to Dr H Gordon Roberts Hospital in Jaiaw for advanced medical care. According to hospital authorities, he 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 the incident as a massive cardiac arrest.
Earlier, people from different walks of life gathered at his late mother’s residence in Pohkseh to pay their last respects. Conrad K. Sangma, accompanied by his wife Mehtab Chandee Agitok Sangma, cabinet ministers and several other political leaders, paid homage and remembered Syngkon as a humble and dedicated public representative.
His mortal remains were later taken to his residence at Nongsder in Ri Bhoi district. He will be laid to rest at Sumer.
Syngkon’s sudden demise has left a profound sense of loss across the Khasi-Jaintia region, where he was widely regarded as a simple, down-to-earth and devout individual. Before entering active politics, he had served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at North-Eastern Hill University.
He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2024 as a candidate of the Voice of the People Party, defeating three-time Congress MP Vincent H Pala by a margin of 3,71,910 votes.
