Tura, May 23: One of the oldest historical monuments of Tura town, revered by its citizens in memory of the brave garo men who went to work for the allies in France during the first world war, is being turned into a revelers den during the night hours.

Citizens of Tura have been appalled to see empty beer bottles, food wraps and even plastic bags of garbage found strewn inside the small compound that houses the cenotaph of the Garo Labour Corps at Lower Babupara in Tura.

Locals say young boys gather inside the cenotaph during the late hours to indulge in revelry taking advantage of the darkness. The cenotaph does not have any lighting and the main gate remains open.

It is maintained by the Tura Municipal Board which organizes the annual July 16 observance of the Garo Labour Corps Day.

The compound is also poorly maintained with ground tiles found broken at many places even though a facelift worth several lakhs of rupees was initiated some years ago.

“It has been like this all through the year. Only when the July 16th celebration draws near that the cenotaph gets a fresh coat of paint and cleaning,” says locals from the vicinity of the cenotaph.

It was at this very place more than a century ago that scores of young garo men were welcomed by the officers of the British Government on their return from France after having served at the frontlines carrying essential food and ammunition to the allied forces as part of the labour corps that played a crucial role in keeping the armies well fed and armed in the war with the German led axis powers.

While scores passed away in France, a large number survived the war and the bitter cold of Europe to come back to their native homeland.

July 16th was the special day when they arrived at this small mount to be embraced by their families.

In memory of the valor of the men who sacrificed their lives as well as those who survived to return, the British government erected a monument with the names of the departed and observed the day as a special memorial, ever since.

Citizens are calling for more vigil and the need for steps to protect such rare historical monuments that make Tura stand out.

Read: Jowai residents deprived of clean water

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