The joint NGOs forum of Garo hills has stated that the clarification by the West Garo Hills district administration with regards to the renovation of the Cenotaph is “inadequate.”
The Tura monument to the Garo Labour Corps that served in the First World War was demolished and critics said that stakeholders had not been taken into confidence.
While Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani issued a rebuttal to dispel what he called misinformation around the demolition of the Cenotaph, the forum today said the explanation was “a calculated attempt to reframe the narrative after public outrage made it impossible to remain silent.”
Stating that glaring questions remain unanswered, the joint forum questioned who is the sole administrative head of the district?
“If the Tura Municipal Board (TMB) is the implementing agency, where is the statement from its CEO? Why must we settle for explanations from a chairman or an executive engineer, when the head of the institution—the one entrusted with decision-making—remains silent? This selective clarification is not only inadequate but raises further suspicion about the true nature of this project,” the forum stated.
According to the forum, the historic site was “quietly razed” leaving the public in the dark and only after widespread backlash did the authorities scramble to justify their actions.
The forum asked if the Cenotaph held as much significance for the administration as it now claims, why was it allowed to reach a state of neglect in the first place and why was there no consultation before its demolition?
They stated that this entire controversy could have been avoided had the government engaged the community from the outset.
The forum stated that the Deputy Commissioner’s statement emphasizes misinformation, attempting to shift blame onto concerned citizens and civil society organizations.
It stated that the very fact that an RTI had to be filed to extract information from TMB speaks volumes about the opacity surrounding this project.
According to the joint forum the term “renovation” implies restoration, not destruction.
“What took place was the complete erasure of a site of historical reverence, a site where families of the Garo Labour Corps veterans have gathered for generations to honor their ancestors,” the forum stated.
They also cited that the RTI response confirming a commercial complex—contradicting the Deputy Commissioner’s assurances—expose the deliberate deception at play.
The joint forum also stated that the timing of this controversy, just months before Garo Labour Corps Day on July 16, makes the wound even deeper.
“The argument that a new structure will better serve the purpose is hollow—because the true purpose of this demolition was never about honoring history but about making way for undisclosed interests,” the forum stated.
The joint forum also asked if the Consultative Committee formed, will truly represent the voices of those most affected, or will it serve as a rubber stamp to legitimize a decision already made?
According to the forum this is not just about a monument; it is about the right of a people to protect their heritage.
“The people of Garo Hills demand accountability, transparency, and above all, respect for their history. The government must understand: public sentiment is not as easily bulldozed as a hillock,” the joint forum said.
