Shillong, April 21:Former Meghalaya Chief Minister, Jring Dringwell Rymbai, passed away on Thursday, a family member said. He was 87 Rymbai died of old age at his private residence in Mawlai Mawdatbaki Nongpathaw on Thursday morning. The State government has announced a three-day state mourning and the national flag will fly half-mast at government buildings and no official event will be held for entertainment purpose during the state mourning period, Additional Chief Secretary , Donald Philips Wahlang said. The government has also decided to accord state funeral to the departed leader, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday (April 23) in Shillong, he said. While condoling the demise of Rymbai, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma described him as a “great statesman” who is adored by the people he served. “His contribution to the development of our state will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace,” Sangma said. Former Home Minister Robert Garnet Lyngdoh, who also took to social media, and described Rymbai as a “principled gentleman who cared deeply for the State and its people”. “I was privileged to have had the opportunity to have him as a colleague and to work under him during his stint as Chief Minister. May his soul rest in peace and may God give solace and strength to his loved ones,” Lyngdoh said. Meanwhile, several political leaders cutting across party lines and people visited Rymbai’s residence and paid their last respect to the departed soul. The soft-spoken educationist, known as ”Mr Clean”, quit active politics in January 18, 2013 after being elected to the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly for four consecutive times from Jirang Assembly constituency in 1983 on Congress ticket and in 2008 assembly election he successfully contested on United Democratic Party (UDP) ticket. Rymbai had held the post of Deputy Speaker, Speaker, Cabinet Minister and went on to become Chief Minister in June 2006 replacing his loyalist Donwa Dethwelson Lapang for eight months. Rymbai was ousted of power in March 2007 after few of his loyalists back stabbed him in support of Lapang to return to power. Rymbai quit the Congress party in 2008 and joined the United Democratic Party and successfully contested the 2008 Assembly elections from Jirang constituency. He quit electoral politics in 2013 due to his old age and to pave way to young generations. Prior to joining active politics, Rymbai did his early education in Bhoilymbong present Ri-Bhoi district and then joined St. Anthony’s College where he had to leave halfway his degree course due to family problems. He was as an Assitant Teacher in a government Munken Basic School in Bhoilymbong and later he obtained his graduate degree in Arts from Synod College,
