Lyangsong Tamsang, the chairman of Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board and a tall leader of the Lepcha community, died at Kalimpong on Tuesday afternoon. He was 80.

Family sources said that the leader suffered a cardiac arrest and died on his way to the hospital from his Bongbusty residence in Kalimpong at around 5.30pm.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee posted a message on X: “I am deeply saddened by the demise of Lyangsong Tamsang, Chairman of the Lepcha Board in our hills.”

Tamsang had also served in the British Army. After his stint with the British army, Tamsang took up the cause of the Lepcha community.

As president of the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Tamsang revived memories of Lepcha king Pano Gaeboo Achyok by celebrating his birth anniversary at Damsang fort in Kalimpong.

Tamsang also spearheaded the movement for a development board for the community.

Mamata, who shared cordial relations with Tamsang, granted the community a development board — the first of its kind for the Lepcha community — in 2012 and appointed Tamsang as the chairman.

“His death is a great loss to me, the Lepcha people of the hills, and for all our communities. He was very close to me and gave me their highest honour as well as translated my books in their language. A good man and a great public worker and leader, he leaves me in mourning,” wrote Mamata in X.