Tura, March 19, 2025: The Joint NGOs Forum, along with civil society organizations, senior citizens, and the Mother’s Union, has strongly condemned the demolition of the historic Garo Labour Corps Cenotaph at Lower Babupara, Tura, terming it an irreparable blow to the cultural heritage and historical consciousness of the Garo people. The Forum has called upon the district administration to restore the monument to its original form, ensuring that the sacrifices of the Garo Labour Corps during World War I are not erased from public memory.

The Cenotaph, which stood as a solemn tribute to the valiant Garo men who served in France during the Great War, had been a symbol of pride and remembrance for over a century. Its abrupt and unannounced demolition by the Tura Municipal Board has ignited widespread outrage, with the community viewing it as an act of administrative insensitivity and historical neglect. While initial claims suggested that the site was to be renovated, the complete bulldozing of the structure has shocked the citizens, many of whom have grown up venerating the memorial.

In response to the public outcry, representatives of the Joint NGOs Forum and the Mother’s Union met with Deputy Commissioner Shri Jagdish Chelani to seek clarity on the matter. The outcome of the discussions provided a glimmer of hope, as the administration assured the stakeholders that all construction at the site would be immediately halted. Furthermore, it was agreed that a review meeting would be held to deliberate on the future of the site, with consultations involving all concerned organizations.

Speaking after the meeting, Mother’s Union Secretary Sume G. B. Sangma stated that while the assurance from the administration was welcome, the incident itself underscored a troubling lack of transparency in decision-making. She emphasized that the term “renovation” had been used to justify the works, misleading the public into believing that the Cenotaph would be preserved rather than dismantled. The erasure of the monument, without prior consultation with the community, has deeply wounded the sentiments of the people and raised serious concerns about the preservation of Garo heritage.

The Joint NGOs Forum has categorically rejected any alternative structures or commercial development at the site and demanded that the Cenotaph be restored before July 16, 2025—the anniversary of the Garo Labour Corps’ return from France. The Forum also urged the administration to ensure that no such actions are taken in the future without the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) of the indigenous people, in accordance with constitutional and international protections for tribal heritage.

The Forum reiterated its stance that historical and cultural sites must be safeguarded with the utmost respect, and any decisions impacting such landmarks should be made in collaboration with the local community. The destruction of the Cenotaph has united the people of Garo Hills in their demand for justice, and the Joint NGOs Forum has vowed to ensure that the historical legacy of the Garo Labour Corps remains intact for future generations.