Shillong, Sept. 29: Meghalaya today bid adieu to its longest-serving legislator and veteran political leader Hoping Stone Lyngdoh as his mortal remains were laid to rest in his native village with full state honours.

Thousands of people, along with chief minister Mukul Sangma, his cabinet colleagues and a host of legislators, assembled at Mawkyllei village in the Pariong area of West Khasi Hills district to bid farewell to the departed leader on his last journey.

Lyngdoh, who until his death represented Nongstoin Assembly constituency, died here on Saturday at the age of 86.

The coffin containing the mortal remains of Lyngdoh was draped in the Tricolour and the flag of the Hill State People's Democratic Party, which was founded by him in 1965.

A 21-gun salute was accorded to him by Meghalaya police.

Paying rich tributes to Lyngdoh, the chief minister said the departed leader "loved people and was loved by people". He said Lyngdoh was a stalwart among politicians who selflessly pursued the objective of statehood.

Recollecting the contributions of the leader, Sangma said Lyngdoh was a politician who was known for many good things, which he practised and demonstrated with his way of living. "His impeccable integrity in public life, the most important quality of a man who spent his entire life in serving the people, is something for us to emulate. New politicians learnt many things from the great leader," he said.

In the evening, members of the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) held a candlelight vigil here in honour of the departed leader.

Lyngdoh had been in electoral politics since 1957. He was a member of the autonomous district council, Assembly and Parliament in nearly six decades of public life.