Meghalaya CM assures to set up committee to address Cenotaph issue

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 27, 2025

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday directed putting on hold all activities at the World War I Cenotaph and assured to form a committee within one week’s time to address the issue comprehensively.  

The assurance was given to a delegation of civil society organizations (CSOs) under the Joint NGOs Forum of Garo Hills, who are opposing the recent demolition of the World War I Cenotaph, during a meeting held at his residence in Tura, West Garo Hills District.

A statement issued by the NGOs said that following a detailed deliberation, the chief minister has assured the delegation that immediate corrective steps would be taken.

“He (CM) confirmed that all activities at the cenotaph site would be put on hold until further notice and committed to forming a new, fair, and inclusive committee within a week to address the matter comprehensively. This committee, he assured, would include representatives from civil society, historians, indigenous leaders, and members of the affected community to ensure that future actions concerning the cenotaph are undertaken with full transparency and consensus,” it said.

Welcoming the CM’s assurance, the Joint NGOs Forum however said while the damage had already been done, the decision to form a new committee is hope to provide justice and rectification. The forum also reiterated that those responsible for the unauthorized demolition must be held accountable and concrete measures must be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future.

The meeting marked a crucial step towards addressing the growing public dissatisfaction over the lack of administrative transparency and cultural sensitivity in handling issues related to indigenous heritage.

“The Chief Minister’s intervention is expected to pave the way for a more just and respectful resolution that upholds the dignity of the Garo Indigenous Tribe and their historical legacy.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on the Meghalaya government to ensure that its commitments translate into tangible actions that honor the sacrifices of the Garo warriors and preserve their legacy for future generations,” the statement said.

NGOs have registered strong protest against what has been described as an “unlawful and disrespectful” act that dishonored the memory of Garo warriors who fought and laid down their lives in World War I as part of the Garo Labour Corps. The demolition, carried out under questionable circumstances, has been widely condemned as a blatant disregard for the sentiments and cultural heritage of the Garo Indigenous Tribe.

During the discussions, the representatives of the Mothers’ Union, a prominent organization advocating for indigenous rights, expressed their deep disappointment and anger over the unilateral decision to dismantle the cenotaph without prior consultation with the community. The Mothers’ Union, which is a unit member of the Indigenous Women’s Forum of North East India (IWFNEI) and a part of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), has been at the forefront of the movement demanding accountability for this act of cultural desecration.