Shillong, March 23: The Joint NGOs’ Forum
West Garo Hills has demanded changes in the consultative committee dealing with renovation of cenotaph as the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Tura Municipal Board are prominent.
The forum sent a letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in this regard.
Following are the suggestions of the Forum
1. ‘Reconstitution of the Committee with a more inclusive and impartial leadership
structure. The Committee must be chaired by a high-ranking official such as a Cabinet
Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, or the Chief Secretary. The DC and the CEO of TMB
should not head the committee, as their prior handling of the matter has eroded public
trust.
2. Inclusion of the MDC representing Tura from GHADC to ensure that the Autonomous
District Council is given due recognition in heritage-related matters.
3. Increased Representation from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Traditional
Custodians, and Independent Experts. The committee must include at least three
representatives from Senior Citizens’ Associations, three from the Mothers’ Union, and three from CSOs. Scholars, and historian leaders must also be included to ensure that the redevelopment is carried out with dignity, cultural sensitivity, and historical accuracy.
4. Inclusion of Legal Experts and Heritage Conservation Specialists to ensure that all
actions taken align with state and national heritage laws, protecting the historical
significance of the Cenotaph.
5. Mandatory Public Consultation at Every Stage of the Redevelopment Process to ensure transparency and accountability. The affected families and the larger community must be given a voice in decision-making, rather than bureaucratic impositions. The administration must provide timely updates and engage in meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders’
