Guwahati: The 108th Garo Labour Corps Day was observed in Meghalaya’s Tura on Thursday, with tributes paid to the Garo labourers who volunteered during World War I and travelled to Europe to provide logistical support to Allied forces in France.
Organised by the Tura Municipal Board, the commemoration marked the historic return of the recruits to Tura on July 16, 1918, a date remembered in the region as a symbol of resilience, loyalty, and community pride.
The observance began with a morning assembly at the Urban Marketing Hub parking area in Ringrey, where attendees laid wreaths at a temporary cenotaph erected in memory of the departed.
The District Police and the 2nd MLP, Goeragre, offered a formal military salute, followed by a two-minute silence. Fr. Januarius S. Sangma led the gathering in prayer.
The main programme was later held at the District Auditorium in Tura. Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma attended as the chief guest, while Housing and PHE Minister Marcuise N. Marak was the guest of honour.
Among those present were Tura Municipal Board Chairman J. D. Sangma, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Vibhor Agarwal, Superintendent of Police Abraham T. Sangma, and Selsella MLA Arbinstone B. Marak, along with descendants of the Garo Labour Corps members and community leaders.
Retired MCS officer Chryslin T. Sangma presented a historical account of the Labour Corps and its wartime journey.
Seventeen descendant families were presented with honorary mementos in recognition of their ancestors’ contribution. Fr. Januarius S. Sangma, grandson of Garo Labour Corps recruit Rashal Ch. Momin, spoke about his grandfather’s life after returning from the war and the inspiration he drew from him.
Addressing the gathering, Speaker Thomas A. Sangma urged younger generations to emulate the courage and dedication of the Garo Labour Corps. He said the history of the corps should be included in school curricula so that students can learn about the sacrifices made by their ancestors.
The Speaker also announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh from his MLA scheme to support research work undertaken by the committee documenting the history of the Garo Labour Corps.
Minister Marcuise N. Marak said that while 500 labourers were initially selected, only 456 reached France, and at present, only 54 names are officially listed on the cenotaph.
He said the research subcommittee intends to include the names of all the missing labourers in the proposed war memorial and museum.
He added that construction of the permanent memorial site at Babupara was 90 per cent complete, but labour shortages caused by unrest earlier this year had delayed the remaining work.
Referring to the project’s financial requirements, the minister said he had written to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma seeking additional government support. He asked the subcommittee to prepare a detailed budget covering logistics, office maintenance, and other related expenses.
The programme also featured cultural performances by students and artists from Harding Theological College, Bosco Mount, Rongkhon, and the Do-kaku Art & Cultural Association, Tura.