Tura, April 15: The Committee for the Preservation of Garo Culture and Heritage, in its first meeting on Tuesday, decided to keep the Garo Labour Corps’ cenotaph at its original site in Lower Babupara in Tura and will be redeveloped with a new design.

The committee, headed by cabinet minister Marcuise N. Marak, held its first meeting on Tuesday at Circuit House in Tura. The committee was formed by the state government following the controversy over the demolition of the historic cenotaph few months back. The 28-member committee was notified on April 4, 2025. The committee has been tasked with identifying and evaluating sites of historical importance in respect of Garo culture and to suggest steps for preservation and protection of heritage sites and cultural value. The committee will also suggest broad mechanism towards overall preservation of Garo culture and tradition, language etc besides seeking views of all stakeholders concerned.

Speaking after the meeting, committee’s chairman Marcuise N. Marak said the meeting mostly discussed about the cenotaph, which was constructed in memory of the Garo Labour Corps who participated in the 1st World War and had served in France. “The committee members felt that the venue should be the same location. So, we have decided that venue would be the same one,” he informed.

The committee also felt that the cenotaph should be redesigned and tenders for it be floated again. This comes after the cenotaph was demolished to make way for the redevelopment of the area. The committee wants a fresh design for the historical monument. “All committee felt that the government should initiate the designs again and go ahead for the floating of tenders, etc,” he informed.

Since it will take a long time in preparing designs and going for a tender and with the 107th Garo Labour Corps Day on July 16 approaching, the committee has decided to install a temporary structure of the Cenotaph at the site to observe the day. The committee has decided to invite renowned local architect Silchi Marak to prepare a PowerPoint presentation for the design/plan for the temporary structure for the Garo Labour Corps Day.

“This year, it (cenotaph) will be temporarily prepared and for which committee has already put up a request to the Government of Meghalaya that Mr. Sulci Marak, who is local architect here, he should be entrusted with that work to come up with a temporary preparation and other aspects,” Marak said.

It also observed that the area of the cenotaph has shrunk over time, probably due to encroachment or other reasons. As such, it has decided to request the government to look into the matter. To avoid further loss of land, it has decided to seek construction of retaining wall.

“The plot where cenotaph existed, it’s very small now; earlier the land was a little bigger than this. Therefore, committee felt that government should put up an inquiry on this matter and then come up with a detailed investigation whether somebody has encroached there. If somebody has encroached, government should take appropriate measures for that,” he said.

Additionally, he said since the current site is very small and a bigger area is needed to observe the Garo Labour Corps Day, the committee has proposed the establishment of a museum or gallery dedicated to the Garo Labour Corps. Two sites have been identified for this – the Old Circuit House or the Old Public School premises in Babupara – both of which are close of the current cenotaph site and are government-owned properties, which can be converted into a museum. The museum would house artifacts, documents, and records related to the Garo contribution in the war.

The committee also felt that names of several labour corps members are missing from the original cenotaph. It has decided to urge the government to conduct research and find the names left out from the old cenotaph if any, and accordingly incorporate them in the new memorial.

It is to be mentioned here that during the World War–I, around 500 Garo men were recruited by the British Government in India and sent to the frontlines of the war in France. Their job was to bring in supplies, construct roads and transport much needed supplies to the allied forces battling the Germans at the frontlines. Although 1000 Garo men were recruited, only 500 were declared fit, of which 456 reached France, at the beginning of the cold and bitter winter of the same year. When the war ended and they landed in Tura on July 16, 1918, only 120 returned home alive.

Lastly, the Committee supported a proposal to exempt charges on weapons gifted as souvenirs, which had been given as tokens of appreciation and remembrance.

The next Committee meeting is scheduled for April 30, 2025.

Read: Tura Cenotaph Row | Govt panel on Garo culture & heritage backs original cenotaph site

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