Tura, March 27 : In a significant development concerning the Garo Labour Corps and the controversial demolition of the World War I Cenotaph, the Joint NGOs Forum held a crucial meeting with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to address the concerns of the indigenous people of Garo Hills. The meeting, attended by leading social activists, civil society organizations, and indigenous representatives, resulted in several key decisions aimed at restoring transparency, accountability, and respect for Garo heritage.
The discussions centered around the halted redevelopment project of the Cenotaph, which was previously mired in controversy due to lack of transparency in the tendering process, disregard for public sentiment, and procedural violations by the Tura Municipal Board (TMB). The Deputy Commissioner’s unilateral decision to form a redevelopment committee without proper consultation had been met with widespread opposition. In light of these concerns, the Chief Minister announced that all redevelopment activities at the cenotaph site will remain suspended until further review, and a new committee will be formed under his direct supervision to ensure transparency and public trust.
The tender documents related to the cenotaph project will now be personally scrutinized by the Chief Minister, who assured the delegation that any discrepancies or irregularities found in the process will lead to strict action against those responsible. This commitment was welcomed by the NGOs, who had earlier exposed that no official notification was issued for the tender, and a questionable contractor was awarded the project without due diligence.
The meeting also led to a historic decision to recognize and honor the descendants of the Garo Labour Corps, who had played a significant role in World War I. The Chief Minister assured that financial support will be extended for academic research on the Garo Labour Corps, ensuring that scholars and researchers can comprehensively document this forgotten chapter of history. This initiative is expected to preserve and promote indigenous knowledge, bringing rightful recognition to the sacrifices of the Garo community.
The Joint NGOs present at the meeting included prominent representatives such as social activist Cherian Momin, Mothers’ Union, G.G.L. Senior Category, NTDF, ALS, GSMC, GRPCC, and A’chik organizations. Their unified stance on cultural preservation, historical justice, and administrative accountability was instrumental in achieving these landmark assurances from the Chief Minister.
With these significant commitments, the indigenous people of Garo Hills have taken a decisive step towards ensuring that their history is honored, their cultural sites are protected, and governance is conducted with fairness and transparency. The Joint NGOs Forum remains vigilant in overseeing these developments and will continue its advocacy to uphold the rights and dignity of the Garo Indigenous Tribe.
