Tura, March 25: The Joint NGOs Forum wishes to clarify its stance regarding the meeting convened by the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, under Notification No. PA/CEN/2025/1.
The forum has decided not to attend the meeting due to several concerns surrounding the constitution of the committee for the redevelopment of the cenotaph at Lower Babupara, Tura, as well as procedural inconsistencies that have emerged in the process.
It has come to our attention that two notifications regarding the formation of the said committee were issued on the same date, March 22, 2025, bearing the reference number No. PA/CEN/2025/1.
However, discrepancies in the notification format were observed, as one version was posted yesterday on the official Facebook page of the Deputy Commissioner, while the same notification was again posted today.
The lack of clarity and uniformity in the notification process has caused confusion, raising serious concerns about procedural transparency. Additionally, the official hard copy of the letter was received only at 5:30 PM today, further reinforcing the irregularities in communication and administrative handling of this matter.
The Joint NGOs Forum take cognizance on the issue with the inclusion of the CEO of TMB and the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, as both the Chairman and members of the committee. Their role should be limited to providing clarification as and when required, rather than holding decision-making positions within the committee.
Such an arrangement raises questions regarding the fairness of the decision-making process and the undue influence that may arise from the dual roles assigned to these officials. Another major concern is the inadequate representation of academicians, historians, Social Activist and members of the Joint NGOs Forum in the committee.
Given the historical and cultural significance of the cenotaph, it is imperative that experts in history and heritage be included in the decision-making process. The lack of proper representation from the Joint NGOs Forum further undermines the credibility of the committee, as community participation and consultation are essential for a fair and inclusive redevelopment process.
The exclusion of key stakeholders raises doubts about whether the committee has been structured to genuinely reflect the sentiments of the people it seeks to serve.
Furthermore, the Joint NGOs Forum had earlier submitted a letter to the Chief Minister on March 23, 2025, highlighting key issues regarding the redevelopment of the cenotaph. As of now, no official response has been received from the Chief Minister’s office.
In light of this, it would be inappropriate for the forum to proceed with participation in the meeting until a formal response is provided. The absence of any response from the highest authority further reinforces the stakeholders about whether the process is being conducted with due diligence and respect for democratic principles.
In view of these multiple irregularities, inconsistencies, and procedural delays, the Joint NGOs Forum stands firm in its decision not to attend the meeting.
The forum urges the authorities to address these concerns and ensure that the redevelopment of the cenotaph at Lower Babupara, Tura, is carried out with fairness, transparency, and proper representation; only through meaningful engagement and adherence to democratic processes for the interests of the people be truly upheld the press statement was issued by the Joint NGOs Forum Tura, Meghalaya.
