Shillong: The first tribal, indigenous woman chief secretary of Meghalaya, Rebecca Vanessa Suchiang, passed on Tuesday at the age of 64. She was under treatment for a terminal illness for the last couple of years.A 1989-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, Suchiang became the first tribal, indigenous woman chief secretary to the Meghalaya govt on taking oath on September 30, 2021. She continued in office as the highest bureaucrat in the state till her superannuation on December 31, 2022.PP Trivedi from the general category was the first woman chief secretary of Meghalaya from 1983 to 1985.On her retirement from the post of chief secretary, Suchiang was appointed as director general of Meghalaya Administrative Training Institute. In April 2025, she was appointed as chief information commissioner, a post she held till her passing.Expressing grief over her death, chief minister Conrad K Sangma said that the former chief secretary was a respected civil servant who had made sterling contribution to the state’s administration and public service.“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,” the CM noted in a condolence message.Paying tributes to her determination, Sangma said she “fought bravely” and continued to work despite her deteriorating health.“Her service and dedication to the state will be remembered,” the CM reiterated.
