Former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno Agitok Sangma died on 4 March 2016. 
•    He was 68 years old. 
•    He was the first tribal person to hold the post of cabinet minister in 1995. 
•    He was also the first tribal person to become the Lok Sabha Speaker in 1996.
•    He was an Indian politician and Speaker of the Lok Sabha between 1996 and 1998. 
•    He was the first member from the Opposition to hold the office of the Speaker.
•    He also founded National People's Party on 6 January 2013 with Book as its National symbol.
•    He was a member of the Lok Sabha in the 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th Lok Sabha.
•    He was the Chief Minister of Meghalaya between 1988 and 1990. 
•    In March 1997, he received the Michael John Roll of Honour of the Tata Workers' Union for Distinguished Contribution to the Cause of Labour and to the Parliamentary System.