Meghalaya’s political circles are reeling from the heartbreaking news of Shillong MP Ricky AJ Singkon’s death. The 42-year-old Voice of the People Party leader suffered a sudden medical emergency during a friendly football game on Thursday evening, leading to his untimely passing.
According to eyewitnesses, Singkon was playing at Mawlong Mawiong ground with friends when he abruptly fell. He was immediately taken to Mawiong CHC, but due to the absence of physicians, transferred elsewhere.
Paramedics then rushed him to Jaiaw’s Dr. H. Gordon Roberts Hospital. Medical staff fought desperately to stabilize him, but he succumbed around 8:42 PM, plunging the state into mourning.
The hospital soon filled with mourners, including Deputy CM Preston Tinsong, VPP chief Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, and a host of legislators and activists who offered condolences to his family.
Singkon’s meteoric rise came in the 2024 elections, where he crushed Congress veteran Vincent H. Pala with a massive margin of 3.7 million votes. Known for his down-to-earth style and fierce defense of indigenous issues, governance reforms, and accountability, he had quickly become a force to reckon with.
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, hailing his dedication and vision. His death creates a significant vacuum in Meghalaya’s evolving political scene, particularly for VPP’s future ambitions.
As the state reflects on this profound loss, Singkon’s passion for public service stands as a beacon for aspiring leaders.