On his 153rd death anniversary, CM Conrad Sangma announces major effort to familiarise youth with Garo freedom legacy
Williamnagar, Dec 12: The Meghalaya government will develop a detailed script on the life of Garo freedom fighter Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma for use in schools and colleges across the State, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced on Friday during the 153rd Death Anniversary commemoration at Togan Park, Chisobibra.
Calling it an important step toward reconnecting young people with their heritage, Sangma said institutions would be encouraged to stage plays and dramas based on the lives of Meghalaya’s freedom fighters. A short play on Pa Togan has already been developed.
“We will encourage schools and colleges to organise plays and dramas on the lives of Meghalaya’s freedom fighters. A detailed script on Pa Togan’s life will be prepared and shared with educational institutions so that students can enact his story. This will help create awareness and inspire our youth to stay connected with their roots,” he said.
The gathering paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma, whose defiance against British expansion remains a defining chapter of Garo history.
Sangma said the anniversary serves as a powerful reminder of the values Pa Togan stood for.
“Pa Togan sacrificed his life for his land and his people. As A’chik, we should be proud of him. He fought to protect our identity and our freedom. Our youth must be told about his deeds, his values and the ideologies he stood for,” he said.
He emphasised that preserving such stories is essential for strengthening community identity. “Our past reminds us of who we are. It is our responsibility to ensure that future generations grow up knowing the heroes who shaped this land.”
The Chief Minister also assured continued support to the Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma Memorial Association. Under the World Tourism Day Community-led Tourism Fund and the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund (CMSDF), nearly ₹17 lakh has already been sanctioned for infrastructure development at Chisobibra, with another ₹20 lakh to be released soon.
Cabinet Minister Marcuise N. Marak described Pa Togan’s life as a testament to unity and patriotism, and thanked the organisers and the community for preserving his legacy.
“Heroic Story of Pa Togan Sangma”
Pa Togan’s final stand in 1872 remains etched in the collective memory of the Garo people. As British troops advanced into Garo Hills, he rallied his warriors under a towering cotton tree in Rongrenggre. Their shields were made not of metal but of banana stems — a powerful reminder that courage often outweighs weaponry.
“Chakatbo!” he called to his men, urging them to defend not just land but the dignity and legacy of their forefathers.
When British forces pushed forward with rifles and bayonets, Pa Togan’s contingent charged with battle cries that echoed through the forest. Outnumbered and out-armed, they fought with fierce resolve. Pa Togan led from the front, holding his ground until he was surrounded. Even in his final moments, his call — “A’chik janggi ong∙na! Our land must live!” — rose above the chaos of battle.
He fell that day, but not in defeat. His sacrifice ignited a spirit of resistance that continues to shape Garo identity more than 150 years later.
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