Meghalaya’s first Khasi woman CS Rebecca Suchiang passes away

Shillong, Aug 18 : Rebecca Vanessa Suchiang, the first tribal Khasi woman Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, passed away on Tuesday following a prolonged struggle with cancer. She was 64. A 1989-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, Suchiang was appointed as the second woman Chief Secretary of Meghalaya on September 30, 2021.
Post retirement, she was appointed as Meghalaya’s first woman Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), taking oath of office on April 3, 2025.
Suchiang had been undergoing treatment since August 13 at the super-speciality North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), where she passed away at around 5:00 a.m.
Information Commissioner Ripnar Lyngdoh said that Suchiang even attended the office last week before she was admitted to NEIGRIHMS. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma expressed grief over Suchiang’s death in a social media post and recalled her contribution to the state.
“Grieved by the passing of former Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, Kong Rebecca V. Suchiang,” Sangma said.
“As the first indigenous woman Chief Secretary, Kong Rebecca made bold decisions at tough times and was respected for her leadership among her peers, her guidance to her juniors and her inspiring work ethics,” he said.
The Chief Minister also said Suchiang fought bravely during her illness and continued to work despite health challenges.
“Her service and dedication to the state will be remembered,” he said, while extending his condolences to her family and loved ones.