Shillong: A sitting member of the Meghalaya Assembly, who had been representing the Mawphlang constituency, Syntar Klas Sunn died due to COVID-19 infection on Friday at his residence in Mawngap. He was 62.
Sources close to the family said Sunn was unwell for some time now and had been at home.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong confirmed to UNI that the engineer-turned legislator died of COVID-19 after his swab samples, which they collected from his body tested positive for the virus.
Sunn who retired as chief engineer of the State PHE in 2016, joined politics and successfully contested as an Independent candidate from Mawphlang constituency in the 2018 Assembly elections. He later joined the United Democratic Party (UDP) as an associate member of the constituent of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance.
Sunn was Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Environment and had been vocal against the operation of illegal coke factories and saw mills in the state.
Sunn is the father of Eugeneson Lyngdoh, the Indian star footballer and was the president of the Shillong Sports Association.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma took to his micro-blogging site expressed sadness over the sudden demise of Sunn.
“I am saddened beyond words by the sudden demise of Sh S K Sunn, Hon’ble MLA of Mawphlang. Bah Sunn always went above & beyond his call of duty to serve the people and I admired his hands-on approach to public service. My deepest condolences to his family, loved ones & admirers”.
Opposition Congress legislator Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh also tweeted, “I am shocked to hear of the passing of Mr Syntar Klas Sunn, the honourable member of Meghalaya’s Legislative Assembly representing Mawphlang constituency. His passing is a loss to our state. My condolences to his family and to his constituents.”
The United Democratic Party (UDP) has also expressed shock and disbelief at the sudden demise of Sunn.
With Sunn’s death, the current Assembly has lost a total of five members in more than three years since 2018.
The State Assembly now has 57 out of 60 members.
