Consultative committee formed
Tura, March 21: West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani, who was accused by the Tura Mothers Union of misrepresenting facts in regards to the construction of the new Cenotaph for the Garo Labour Corps memorial, has cleared the air on the controversy and also announced the formation of a Consultative Committee that will have representation from key community stakeholders and officials under his chairmanship.
“A Consultative Committee will be formed under my chairmanship, ensuring representation from key community stakeholders which will include the CEO of TMB, a representative from the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), one representative from the families of the fallen heroes and the representatives from the Mothers Union and Senior Citizens Association (nominated by their respective associations),” said Chelani in his official statement on Thursday evening.
The committee will review concerns, gather community input, and ensure that the final design reflects the true spirit of the Cenotaph. The outcomes of the committee’s discussions will be presented to the Urban Affairs Department and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for further action.
“Given the public interest in this project, it is crucial that discussions remain fact-based and constructive to ensure the Cenotaph’s dignity is upheld. We look forward to working together to finalize the design and ensure the monument is a fitting tribute to the labour corps,” said the DC.
Terming the recent accusations and allegations surrounding the ongoing project at the Cenotaph site in Babupara as “misinformation”, the deputy commissioner gave his side of the story to clarify the facts, address public concerns and provide an update on the project.
He said that the matter first gained public attention following the publication of a news article on May 23rd, 2024, about how the historical monument had been turned by revellers into a nocturnal den, prompting Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to visit the site and promptly announce a major renovation of the monument- a project costing approximately Rs 2 crore.
“A sanction for an amount of Rs 2,15,37,524/- (~2.15Cr) was granted under a proposal by the Tura Municipal Board (TMB) through the State Government’s Grants-in-Aid, aimed at restoring the monument’s glory and honouring the sacrifices of the martyrs,” stated DC Chelani.
He said that the controversy arose when a portion of the upcoming structure was referred to as a “restaurant” in the social media. The term “restaurant” was a euphemism for a pantry and should have been referred to as a “pantry”. The undersigned wishes to assure the public that no commercial activities will be conducted at the site, announced DC Chelani.
“Furthermore, every year on July 16th, due to limited space at the Cenotaph in Babupara, both pedestrians and vehicles are stopped, and no parking is available for visitors during the Memorial Service. To address these challenges, the proposal had been put forward by Tura Municipal Board under the Grant-in-Aid 2023-2024. The project is aimed to create a proper Memorial site, where Garo Labour Corps Day is observed annually,” said the DC and added that the design also aims to address logistical challenges due to rains, as this important occasion coincides with the monsoon season each year.
Giving an insight about the Cenotaph project, Chelani informed that the ground floor will feature a stacked parking facility. The first floor (terrace level) will include a pantry and a viewing deck. The pantry/restaurant will only be used on the day of the Memorial Service and will not be undertaking any commercial services. The Cenotaph Memorial Stone will be placed on the terrace, where the Memorial Service will also be held. The basement will house a rainwater harvesting system and washrooms. Additionally, a 10×20 LED display will be installed on the glass wall to showcase various events related to the Memorial and the observations of the Garo Labour Corps Day.
“The primary concern raised by Mother’s Union during a meeting on Monday was that the rebuilt structure should not be used for commercial purposes or turned into a commercial complex. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with me reassuring the members that, while I have yet to review the designs of the upcoming structure, TMB has assured me that no commercial activities will take place within it. A secondary concern was that the community at large was not aware of the upcoming work, and were not consulted on the design. The undersigned then brought to the notice of the members, about the publication of the above two articles widely circulated in the media and encouraged them to notice the information which initially prompted the action. I also encouraged the members to directly reach out to TMB for any clarifications, as the Board is the implementing authority,” said the deputy commissioner.
He termed it disheartening that, “Despite this guidance, a press release was issued with unverified allegations, rather than seeking firsthand information. When I met with the concerned members again on Wednesday, it became clear that they had not reached out to TMB before making their public statement. Instead, they had been waiting for the TMB CEO to contact them. I emphasized that a simple inquiry from their end would have resolved the misunderstanding at the outset. It thus appears that some concerns have arisen due to gaps in communication. While the initial proposal and funding details were publicly reported, we recognize the need for a more structured engagement process.”
Following the discussion on Wednesday, the deputy commissioner announced that proactive steps have already been taken to ensure full transparency and community participation.
“The TMB has been directed to temporarily halt the ongoing construction activities for the remainder of the month. Work will be limited to essential hazard and disaster management tasks only,” stated Chelani.
