Shillong: Popular public leader, educationist and former Meghalaya Home Minister, Robert Garnett Lyngdoh passed away at his residence in Nongrim Hills here on Friday.
Bah Bob or Bobby, as he was fondly referred to passed away at the age of 62 after battling a fatal illness for years now. He is survived by his wife, five children, two grandchildren and eight siblings.
Son of veteran politician late Peter Garnett Marbaniang and brother of sitting Congress legislator Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, he had represented the Laitumkhrah Legislative Assembly Constituency in the city for two terms between 1998 to 2008 and had held several portfolios as a cabinet minister, including, Home and Education. He was suspended from Congress party and re-joined joined the party in September, 2021
As Home Minister, Lyngdoh had taken firm and innovative steps in tackling militancy in the state.
Prior to joining politics, Lyngdoh started his career as a marketing professional with Mafatlals, Mumbai, and then joined Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and later the Meghalaya Bamboo Chips Limited which was shut down due to a lack of funds. He also wrote a novel Who the Cap Fits, a prose replete with barely concealed disillusionment with the political and administrative set-up.
Governor Satya Pal Malik, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Leader of Opposition, Dr. Mukul Sangma and a host of other public leaders have expressed grief over the passing away of Lyngdoh.
“The fearless Shri R. G. Lyngdoh, former Home Minister of Meghalaya was a personality we all looked up to. Cheerful and witty, Bah Robert was a friend to everyone he encountered. Deeply saddened by the news of his passing. My deepest condolences to @ampareenlyngdoh& his family,” chief minister Conrad K Sangma tweeted.
Former Chief Minister and currently Leader of Opposition, Dr Mukul Sangma of the Trinamool Congress expressed grief over the passing away of Lyngdoh, who was held in high esteem across the political spectrum.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee in a condolence message said, “(Late) Robert Garnett Lyngdoh was an eminent leader and a political stalwart… His dedication to his people and the state was unparalleled and he had contributed immensely to the overall development of our beloved state. He was also a steadfast Congressman”.
