Shillong, March 25: The Joint Forum of NGOs from Garo Hills has decided not to attend the meeting to discuss renovation of cenotaph depicting Garo Labour Corps. The forum has urged the authorities to address these concerns and ensure that the redevelopment of the cenotaph at Lower Babupara, Tura, is carried out with fairness, transparency, and proper representation; only through meaningful engagement and adherence to democratic processes for the interests of the people is strictly followed.
Full text of statement
The Joint NGOs Forum wishes to clarify its stance regarding the meeting convened by
the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, under Notification No. PA/CEN/2025/1. The
forum has decided not to attend the meeting due to several concerns surrounding the
constitution of the committee for the redevelopment of the cenotaph at Lower
Babupara, Tura, as well as procedural inconsistencies that have emerged in the process.
It has come to our attention that two notifications regarding the formation of the said committee were issued on the same date, March 22, 2025, bearing the reference
number No. PA/CEN/2025/1. However, discrepancies in the notification format were
observed, as one version was posted yesterday on the official Facebook page of the
Deputy Commissioner, while the same notification was again posted today. The lack of clarity and uniformity in the notification process has caused confusion, raising serious
concerns about procedural transparency. Additionally, the official hard copy of the
letter was received only at 5.30 PM today, further reinforcing the irregularities in
communication and administrative handling of this matter.
The Joint NGOs Forum take cognizance on the issue with the inclusion of the CEO of
TMB and the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, as both the Chairman and
members of the committee. Their role should be limited to providing clarification as and
when required, rather than holding decision-making positions within the committee.
Such an arrangement raises questions regarding the fairness of the decision-making
process and the undue influence that may arise from the dual roles assigned to these
officials. Another major concern is the inadequate representation of academicians, historians,social activists and members of the Joint NGOs Forum in the committee. Given the historical and cultural significance of the cenotaph, it is imperative that experts in
history and heritage be included in the decision-making process. The lack of proper
representation from the Joint NGOs Forum further undermines the credibility of the
committee, as community participation and consultation are essential for a fair and
inclusive redevelopment process. The exclusion of key stakeholders raises doubts about whether the committee has been structured to genuinely reflect the sentiments of the people it seeks to serve.
Furthermore, the Joint NGOs Forum had earlier submitted a letter to the Chief
Minister on March 23, 2025, highlighting key issues regarding the redevelopment of the
cenotaph. As of now, no official response has been received from the Chief Minister’s
office. In light of this, it would be inappropriate for the forum to proceed with
participation in the meeting until a formal response is provided. The absence of any
response from the highest authority further reinforces the stakeholders about whether
the process is being conducted with due diligence and respect for democratic principles.
In view of these multiple irregularities, inconsistencies, and procedural delays, the Joint NGOs Forum stands firm in its decision not to attend the meeting. The forum urged the authorities to address these concerns and ensure that the redevelopment of the
cenotaph at Lower Babupara, Tura, is carried out with fairness, transparency, and
proper representation; only through meaningful engagement and adherence to
democratic processes for the interests of the people be truly upheld.
Issued by:
Joint NGOs Forum
Tura, Meghalaya
