ITANAGAR, Feb 1 - Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Matin Dai passed away at the RK Mission Hospital here last evening following cardiac arrest.
He was 86 and is survived by his daughter, Mamang Dai, noted poet, novelist and journalist, two sons Ojing Dai, retired Joint Director of Industries Department, and Otem Dai, IAS officer. His last rites will be performed at his Itanagar residence tomorrow.
Born on January 1, 1934 at Balek village near Pasighat in East Siang district, late Dai did his matriculation from Sadiya (Assam) in 1952 and graduated from St Edmund�s College, Shillong, in 1961.
Late Dai joined government service as a base superintendent (now circle officer) in 1956, and was promoted to the post of assistant political officer-II in 1962 and then to the post of APO-I. After his induction into the Indian Frontier Administrative Service (IFAS) in 1964, he served the State in various capacities and rose to become the first APST Chief Secretary of the State from 1988 to 1991.
Governor Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (retd) and Chief Minister Pema Khandu led the people of the State in mourning the demise of Dai.
The Governor said that in his departure, the State has lost the man who tended to the State through its nascent stage.
In his condolence message, Chief Minister Khandu said, �Late Dai shall be remembered for years to come for his contribution to the State and its people.�