Shillong: A veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Paty Ripple Kyndiah passed away at a hospital following cardiac arrest. He was 87.

The octogenarian leader was admitted at the Bethany Hospital last night and he died just before midnight, family members said. Born on May 7, 1928, Kyndiah was survived by his two daughters, three sons and a number of grandchildren. He retired from active politics in 2009.