SHILLONG, Dec 23 - The first woman deputy commissioner and the first woman to qualify for the Assam State Civil Service from Meghalaya, Margaret Rose Mawlong, passed away today. She was 82.
In 1967, Mawlong stood second in the Assam Civil Service examinations. She held the top position among the tribal candidates. Mawlong worked as an Extra Assistant Commissioner in the Khasi Jaintia Hills district from 1968 to 1972.
Thereafter, she served in various posts in Meghalaya and was also the Registrar of the North Eastern Hill University. She retired in 1996 as the Secretary to the Food Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department.
Mawlong formed the Khasi Students� Association, Khasi Jaintia Welfare Association, Seng Longkmie (women�s organisation), Laitumkhrah. She was a member of various other organisations.
Mawlong was conferred the �Friends of Liberation War Heroes� by the Bangladesh Government for her contribution towards the administration of refugee camps along the border areas during the war to liberate Bangladesh.
Mawlong leaves behind four daughters and two sons, apart from other family members.
