Shillong, Aug 16 (Reporter) Former Meghalaya Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader, Salseng Chada Marak passed away in a government-run hospital in West Garo Hills district on Friday morning following a prolonged illness. He was 83. Marak had been ailing for some time and was admitted to the Holy Cross Hospital on August 8, but he was shifted to the Tura Civil Hospital in the West Garo Hills district four days later where he passed away. State Chief Secretary Donald Philips Wahlang said the government has announced a three-day state mourning with effect from Friday and a state funeral on Saturday in the honour of the former Chief Minister. "During the state mourning the National Flag will be flown at half-mast where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment," Wahlang said. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma was among the first to condole the political stalwart’s demise. “Deeply saddened to learn of the demise of former CM Salseng C Marak. His contributions to Meghalaya’s development will always be remembered. My condolences to his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace,” Chief Minister Sangma tweeted. Describing Salseng as a “remarkable leader”, Assembly Speaker Thomas Ampang Sangma said, “His unwavering dedication to the people of our State and his significant contributions to the community will always be remembered.” “Marak exemplified remarkable leadership, integrity, vision, and service. He played a vital role in the advancement of Meghalaya, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations,” the Speaker said. Senior Cabinet Minister and veteran BJP leader Alexander Laloo Hek said the State has lost a staunch nationalist and widely respected leader, whose work spanned a diverse range of areas in public life. Known as “Mr. Clean” in Meghalaya politics, Marak was first elected to the first Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on March 9, 1972, following the creation of the state on January 21, 1972 on All Party Hill Leaders Conference (APHLC)ticket from Resubelpara assembly constituency. He later joined the Congress party after a split in the APHLC in 1976. He was defeated in 2008 by NCP’s Timothy Dalbot Shira, but Marak successfully wrested the seat in 2013 and was defeated by Shira again in 2018. The former Chief Minister didn’t contest the last 2023 Assembly elections. In the 1993 elections, Marak returned to the fourth Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and was elected as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party and sworn in as the 6th Chief Minister of Meghalaya. In 1998, he was sworn in again as Chief Minister but could continue for just 12 days when his Congress-led coalition resigned, paving the way for United Parliamentary Forum leader Brington Buhai Lyngdoh to become the next Chief Minister. He was also the President of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee in 2003. Marak was also one of the most vocal politicians openly opposing the militant-politician nexus and maintained that it may affect Congress policies and principles. Born in 1941, Marak attended Kolkata’s Scottish Church College...////...