Govt renews effort to trace more ‘lost’ WWI heroes of the hills
TURA, July 16: A century after their forefathers returned from the battlefields of the First World War, 17 families in Tura were officially recognised on Thursday as descendants of the Garo Labour Corps. The recognition took place during the 108th Garo Labour Corps Day, held amid a renewed state government effort to trace more “lost” heroes of the hills.
The commemorative programme began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph in Ringrey, led by Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma and Minister Marcuise N Marak. A salutation by the District Police and a two-minute silence honoured the men who served in France and Mesopotamia.
The heart of the observance moved to the District Library Auditorium, where the Research Committee for Preservation of Garo Culture and Heritage presented mementos to 17 families. This gesture marks a shift from general tributes to the specific identification of those whose ancestors served in the Labour Corps.
Minister Marcuise N Marak, who chairs the committee, noted that the research initiative was born out of a need for cultural accuracy. He explained that while the government had previously ordered the reconstruction of the Cenotaph, “concerns” raised during that process led to the formation of a sub-committee. This body is now tasked with both the proper development of the site and the extensive research required to map the bloodlines of the Corps.
“The felicitation of these 17 families is just the beginning,” Marak said. “As research efforts continue, more descendants will be identified and honoured.”
He urged village elders and historians to come forward with any documentation or oral histories that could assist in the state’s preservation efforts.
Speaker Thomas A. Sangma emphasized that the legacy of the Garo Labour Corps offers vital lessons in loyalty and resilience for the modern generation. He noted that while today’s youth may not face foreign battlefields, they are called to show the same “loyalty to duty” in their professional and civic lives. To support the ongoing hunt for descendant records, the Speaker announced a contribution of ₹2 lakh to the Research Committee.
Observed annually on July 16, Garo Labour Corps Day commemorates the hundreds of men who were recruited from the Garo Hills to support Allied forces during World War I. Their journey from remote hills to international war zones remains a defining chapter of Garo identity and courage.
