Betrayal of Trust? Mothers’ Union, Tura Slams DC Over WW-I Cenotaph Demolition Plans

A RTI revealed that a commercial complex is being planned, with parking facilities, while WW-I Cenotaph is to be placed on the terrace

The Mothers’ Union, Tura in Meghalaya has expressed deep disappointment and outrage over what it calls misleading assurances from Jagdish Chelani, West Garo Hills District, Tura regarding the future of the historic Cenotaph of the World War-I Labour Corps at Lower Babupara.

The site, which holds immense historical and emotional significance for the people of Garo Hills, is now at the center of a major controversy.

The Mothers’ Union accused the DC of deceiving them by stating that no commercial complex was planned at the WW-I Cenotaph site. The DC had reportedly assured them that the area would be developed into an open space with figurines of important historical figures. However, an RTI inquiry filed with the Tura Municipal Board on February 20, 2025, revealed otherwise.

According to the RTI findings, the site is set to be replaced by a commercial complex, complete with parking facilities and a restaurant. The monument itself, shockingly, is proposed to be relocated to the terrace of the structure, a move the Mothers’ Union deems as an insult to its historical significance.

Sume B Sangma, Secretary of the Mothers’ Union, Tura said, “The site is of great historical importance to the people of Garo Hills, especially Tura. We have so many memories attached to it. It is sacred to us. We were assured by the DC on March 17 that the project was only for renovation and leisure space so that people could relax and enjoy. But just a day after our meeting with other NGOs, we learned through an RTI that a commercial complex is being planned, with parking facilities and a restaurant, while the WW-I Cenotaph is to be placed on the terrace. This was crucial information that was deliberately hidden from us. We feel insulted and deceived.”

The Mothers’ Union demanded a formal explanation from the Deputy Commissioner and calls upon the government to intervene and safeguard the integrity of the Cenotaph site. Any attempt to commercialize this sacred space will be met with firm resistance from the community, whose heritage must not be sacrificed for administrative expediency.

“The continued silence and lack of accountability from the authorities on this matter further aggravate public distress. The people of Garo Hills deserve a governance framework rooted in truthfulness, participatory decision-making, and sensitivity toward historical preservation,” said the union.

The Mothers’ Union has urged authorities to engage in transparent and inclusive dialogue and take immediate corrective measures. It emphasised that public officials must remain accountable to the people they serve, especially in matters concerning history, heritage, and cultural preservation.

“The authorities must initiate immediate corrective measures and engage in a transparent and inclusive dialogue with the people of Garo Hills. The principles of good governance dictate that public officials remain answerable to the people they serve,” it added.

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