Shillong, Sep 25: A Meghalaya delegation led by Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma has discovered the graves of three more Garo men of the 69th Garo Labour Company at the Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta, who served during World War-I.
Until now, only the grave of Khew Marak, who died on June 15, 1918, was known at the Commonwealth-maintained cemetery. During the visit, the delegation identified three additional graves – Ading Marak (died June 10, 1918), Join Marak (died June 10, 1918) and Sangjim Sangma (died June 19, 1918) – and paid homage to all four.
Men from Garo Hills were recruited into the 69th Garo Labour Company that supported Allied operations with road construction and supply transport.
“This visit is deeply significant for Meghalaya as it brings to light the resting places of Garo men whose contribution and sacrifice remained largely unknown,” Speaker Sangma said in a statement today.
The delegation included Deputy Speaker Limison D. Sangma, Deputy Chief Whip Ronnie V. Lyngdoh, MTDC Chairman Marthon J. Sangma, Assembly Secretary Malthus S. Sangma and Deputy Secretary Raja Kharpuri.
The Malta visit was part of a post-conference study tour after the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, and was facilitated by the High Commission of India in Malta.
The discovery reaffirms Meghalaya’s link to India’s contribution to the Allied war effort and marks a key step in preserving Garo Hills’ wartime history.
