Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma went into damage-control mode after the demolition of a World War 1 cenotaph in his home town Tura triggered public outrage.
A monument or tomb in honour of people whose remains are elsewhere, the cenotaph was erected in the Lower Babupara area of Tura in remembrance of 500 members of the Garo Labour Corps recruited by the British government for services on the frontlines in France during the First World War. Some 120 returned home alive in July 1918, many with psychological scars.
More than a week ago, the town authorities demolished the cenotaph to make space for a complex with a parking space and other facilities. They said the cenotaph, according to the redevelopment plan, would be rebuilt on the terrace of the complex.
Civil society organisations protested the demolition and demanded action against Jagdish Chelani, the Deputy Commissioner of the West Garo Hills district, and Rikse R. Marak, the CEO of the Tura Municipal Board. These organisations said the cenotaph was uprooted without consulting the community or the stakeholders.
On Thursday (March 27, 2025), Mr. Sangma met with the representatives of these organisations and assured them of corrective measures, given the cenotaph’s historical and emotional significance for the Garo people.
He said all activities at the cenotaph would be put on hold until further notice and that a committee would be formed to address the issue comprehensively. He also assured the locals that the committee 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.
A forum of these organisations said that since the damage has already been done, those responsible for the unauthorised demolition should be held accountable.
“The meeting marks 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 tribe and their historical legacy,” the forum stated.
The forum also demanded the scrapping of the tender for the renovation of the cenotaph and floating a fresh one in compliance with legal and ethical guidelines.
Earlier, Mr Chelani said the Chief Minister announced a plan to renovate the cenotaph for about ₹2 crore following reports in May 2024 that the area had turned into a den of unruly revellers. “Given the public interest in this project, it is crucial that discussions remain fact-based and constructive to ensure the cenotaph’s dignity is upheld. We look forward to working together to finalise the design and ensure the monument is a fitting tribute to the Labour Corps,” he said.
