Shillong, April 8: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday assured that the State government will move forward in collaboration with all stakeholders regarding the Cenotaph project in Tura.
“We’ll move forward in collaboration and discussion with different stakeholders of society. But it’s something that I would like to see completed and done in a proper manner, with the necessary overall respect that should be maintained,” Sangma said.
The government’s initial move to construct a new memorial at the site of the existing one was met with widespread opposition for failing to consult stakeholders. In response, the government has formed a committee headed by PHE Minister Marcuise N. Marak.
Sangma said the committee’s mandate goes beyond the Garo Labour Corps Memorial or the Cenotaph alone and will include broader discussions on related issues.
“This is not just about the Garo Corps, Labour Corps Memorial, or the Cenotaph, but also to broaden the overall discussion on different aspects of the Garo Labour Corps—whether it is issues related to historic data, information available in France or elsewhere, or the overall documentation of its history,” the CM informed.
He also mentioned that all ongoing work at the Cenotaph site has been halted until further deliberation. “I think the committee and the chairman will discuss and take a call. All aspects of the Cenotaph, including its design, will be discussed in that committee and they will decide how to move forward,” he added.
He further underlined the original intent behind the project. “What is most important to us is that this Garo Labour Corps Memorial was, in a way, forgotten. There were no real efforts made to improve it. So it was with that idea that this entire concept came up.”
On concerns raised by various groups, Sangma said, “Of course, there were some concerns that were raised. But I’ve always stressed that we’re doing this for the people. We’re doing this for the society. We’re doing this for the memory of those Labour Corps who went during the World War. Therefore, it is most appropriate to keep the sentiments of the people, especially the families, in mind.”
He expressed confidence that the committee will take all views into account and address the various concerns surrounding the issue.
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