Shillong, Nov 6: Photo journalist, Walton Lytan is no more. He was 52. Ton as fondly known throughout Meghalaya, passed away on Tuesday at 4:15pm after a brief battle with a life threatening ailment at his residence at Lumbhalang, Nongthymmai Lawjynriew, with his wife, Kong Pynroilang Kharshandi and his son and two daughters by his side.

In a statement issued here, The Shillong Press Club with deep regret and a great sense of pain announced the demise of Ton, one of its oldest members and much loved.

Condoling the demise, the Shillong Press Club described Ton ever “an affable and jovial person.”

Ton began his journey in photo journalism way back in the late 80s after a successful stint as the founding general secretary of the Hill Farmers’ Union, an organisation that till today continues to fight for the welfare and rights of farmers.

As photographer, he was associated with several publications both English and vernacular. His last assignment was with the UB Photos, a widely known photo news agency in Assam and the whole North East.

Ton was popular with everyone simply for the fact that though he was simple and appeared demure, yet never once did he shirk away from discharging his professional duties.

“Be it politics, curfew, chaos, encounters, Assembly and District Council sessions, government or private events and functions, he would always be the first one to reach the spot. Short in stature but he would always be the tallest everywhere,” the Shillong Press Club recalled.

“In fact, most of us will miss the unassuming man because he would, on most occasions, be the one to inform others about anything taking place, be it a breaking event or a planned one,” Shillong Press Club president, David Laitphlang said, while mourning the demise of Ton.

He was known to people across all spectrum of society from politicians to the layman and perhaps one of the few journalists who had friends across the Khasi, Jaiñtia and Garo hills and neighboring Assam.

His unique and simple manner of communicating with people won him friends all over. It was simply difficult to dislike him.

As a grieving family, the Shillong Press Club expressed its deepest condolences at the loss of one of its most loved members and sincerely prays that ‘Dear Ton’ rests in everlasting peace.

The Club also prayed that God grant solace to members of the bereaved family.