D.D. Pugh

Shillong, Nov. 18: Former chief minister D.D. Pugh passed away at his Kenches Trace residence here at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness.

He is survived by his wife Esther Nora Lyngdoh, daughter, son, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The state government has declared a half-holiday tomorrow as a mark of respect to Pugh.

A statement issued by the government today said all the state government offices would remain closed after 2pm tomorrow, subject to disposal of urgent work. The Tricolour will fly at half-mast during the day.

Pugh, the first Khasi chief minister of Meghalaya, was the general secretary of All Party Hill Leaders Conference (APHLC) which spearheaded the hill state movement resulting in the creation of Meghalaya.

Born at Sohra on January 12, 1927 Pugh was brought up in Allahabad. His father was the principal of Allahabad Agriculture Institute.

After serving the transport department in undivided Assam, he resigned from government service and contested the district council election in 1967 and got elected.

In the first Assembly elections to the Meghalaya Assembly in 1972, he contested and won from Nongshken constituency of East Khasi Hills. In the 1978 Assembly elections, he contested and won from Mawkhar constituency in Shillong.

He headed a coalition government from March 10, 1978 to February 21, 1979 combining forces with APHLC, Hills State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) and People’s Demand Implementation Convention (PDIC).

From February 21, 1979 till May 6, 1979 he headed the combination of APHLC and PDIC, without the HSPDP.

Pugh was a linguist familiar with Urdu, Hindi, Garo and Karbi, besides other languages.

Several leaders of the state today condoled his death. Chief minister Donkupar Roy said Pugh had made a great contribution to the overall growth of the state by being the chief minister of Meghalaya twice and spearheading the movement for statehood.

Opposition leader and former chief minister D.D. Lapang recalled Pugh as a remarkable leader who was instrumental in the formation of Meghalaya and its subsequent progress.

Deputy chief minister and HSPDP leader H.S. Lyngdoh recalled his association with Pugh and said the people of the state will be indebted to him for his contribution to the society.