Meghalaya Observes 100th Birth Anniversary of Tribal Hero Williamson Ampang Sangma

Shillong, October 18, 2019:

Today, the Northeastern state of Meghalaya is remembering Captain Williamson Ampang Sangma, the founder-Chief Minister of the State of Meghalaya, on the occasion of his 100th birth anniversary.

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Captain Williamson was the first tribal Governor of the Northeast (he was the first-ever Governor of Mizoram among the Garos in 1989) and was a pioneer in leading the Hill State Movement for the attainment of statehood in Meghalaya. He was a fiercely determined leader who advocated for the preservation of the 'tribal identity' of the hill tribes and fought for Meghalaya's autonomy. Under Sangma's leadership and vision, Meghalaya became the 21st state in the Indian Union.

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With the realisation of Meghalaya as a state, it ultimately united the areas of the Khasi, Jainta, and the Garo Hills under the leadership of the charismatic leader, Williamson Sangma. A strong advocate for the rights of the Garo tribe, he also made sure the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE), which he considered to be of prime importance, was in the Garo Hills.

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Captain Sangma was born in Baghmara in the South Garo Hills district. He always represented Baghmara assembly constituency, even after merging his political outfit with the Congress (I) party.

He, along with Salseng C. Marak, are the only Meghalaya Chief Ministers to complete full term of five years in office. A widely-cherished biography of Captain Williamson A. Sangma was also written by Mihir N. Sangma.

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