Shillong: Donwa Dethwelson Lapang, veteran politician and four-time Chief Minister of Meghalaya, passed away in Shillong on Friday evening after a prolonged illness. He was 93.
Fondly called ‘Maheh’, Lapang is survived by his wife, Amethyst Lynda Jones Blah, and two children.
The Meghalaya government has announced a state funeral on Monday.
Lapang, who had been battling age-related ailments, breathed his last in the presence of family members.
Former MP and Congress leader Vincent H. Pala was also at the hospital at the time of his passing.
Tributes poured in as people from across the state — politicians, colleagues, and citizens alike — gathered at the hospital and later at his Nongpoh residence to pay their last respects.
Born on April 10, 1932, Lapang began his political career in 1972, winning the Nongpoh assembly seat as an Independent.
Over the years, he served four terms as chief minister between 1992 and 2010.
A lifelong Congressman before joining the National People’s Party in 2018, he was serving as chief advisor to the state government.
He is remembered as a key figure in the creation of Ri-Bhoi district in 1992, a milestone in Meghalaya’s administrative history.
From humble beginnings — helping his mother run a tea stall and working as a labourer, teacher, and government employee — Lapang rose to become one of the most influential leaders of the state.
