Tura, March 27: A high-level meeting took place today at the residence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma in Tura, where representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), led by the Mothers’ Union, convened to address the deeply contentious issue surrounding the demolition of the World War I Cenotaph.
The cenotaph, which held immense historical and emotional significance for the Garo Indigenous Tribe, was dismantled without due consultation, triggering widespread outrage and grief among the indigenous people of Garo Hills.
The meeting, spearheaded by the Joint NGOs Forum of Garo Hills, was convened to register a strong protest against what has been described as an “unlawful and disrespectful” act that dishonored the memory of Garo warriors who fought and laid down their lives in World War I as part of the Garo Labour Corps.
The demolition, carried out under questionable circumstances, has been widely condemned as a blatant disregard for the sentiments and cultural heritage of the Garo Indigenous Tribe.
During the discussions, the representatives of the Mothers’ Union, a prominent organization advocating for indigenous rights, expressed their deep disappointment and anger over the unilateral decision to dismantle the cenotaph without prior consultation with the community.
The Mothers’ Union, which is a unit member of the Indigenous Women’s Forum of North East India (IWFNEI) and a part of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), has been at the forefront of the movement demanding accountability for this act of cultural desecration.
Following a detailed deliberation, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma assured the delegation that immediate corrective steps would be taken. He confirmed that all activities at the cenotaph site would be put on hold until further notice and committed to forming a new, fair, and inclusive committee within a week to address the matter comprehensively.
This committee, he assured, would include representatives from civil society, historians, indigenous leaders, and members of the affected community to ensure that future actions concerning the cenotaph are undertaken with full transparency and consensus.
The Joint NGOs Forum welcomed the Chief Minister’s assurance, stating that while the damage had already been done, the decision to form a new committee provided hope for justice and rectification.
However, the forum also reiterated that those responsible for the unauthorized demolition must be held accountable, and concrete measures must be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future.
The meeting marked a crucial step towards addressing the growing public dissatisfaction over the lack of administrative transparency and cultural sensitivity in handling issues related to indigenous heritage.
The Chief Minister’s intervention is expected to pave the way for a more just and respectful resolution that upholds the dignity of the Garo Indigenous Tribe and their historical legacy.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on the Meghalaya government to ensure that its commitments translate into tangible actions that honor the sacrifices of the Garo warriors and preserve their legacy for future generations.
