The committee constituted for the redevelopment of the First World War monument at Lower Babupara in Tura has been empowered to include other civil society organisations and members of the public.
Controversy had erupted when the Cenotaph to the Garo Labour Corps that served in the First World War was demolished for a renovation. The monument is considered as a symbol of pride and remembrance for over a century by the Garo community.
While the committee was constituted on March 22, 2025 comprising of historians and academicians, a joint forum of NGOs stated there were procedural inconsistencies in the formation of the committee.
Today, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani said the committee held a “preliminary session” and it was decided that the historian and academician as earlier notified, to be nominated by the committee, will be notified in consultation with Dr Milton Sangma, a renowned historian and an authority on the history of Cenotaph, before the second meeting. Dr Ramona M Sangma, Associate Professor, NEHU will also be invited to join as a member to the committee as an academician.
In a notification, Chelani also said Fr Januarius, Principal of Don Bosco College, being a descendant of the member of the Garo Labour Corps, will also present his views. The committee contemplated Abraham T Sangma to be invited as a representative of the descendants. Abraham, by association, will also be nominated as Co-convenor/Co-chairman of the committee, the notification added.
Chelani said to make the committee more inclusive, leaders of Garo Graduate Union Members, New Tura Development Forum, Dalseng Ch Momin, President ADE, Tengsak G Momin and Zikku Balgra N Marak of the Garo Students Union will be invited to join as members.
It was also decided that other civil society organisations being originally notified to be represented by one representative each, like the Mother’s Union and Senior Citizen Association can also be represented by two representatives each, he said.
Members of the public can also submit suggestions to the Deputy Commissioner’s office through email: dc-wgh@nic.in or to any member of the committee, Chelani said.
The second meeting of the committee is scheduled tomorrow.
