Shillong: Oct 14: Four Garo graves, one forgotten chapter of World War I — and now, three more names brought home to history.
A Meghalaya Legislative Assembly delegation has discovered three additional graves of Garo labourers of the British era 69th Garo Labour Company at the Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta.
The delegation, led by Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, paid homage to four Garo men buried at the Commonwealth cemetery. Until now, only Khew Marak — who died on June 15, 1918 — was known to be buried there.
On Friday, the team identified three more: Ading Marak and Join Marak, both died June 10, 1918, and Sangjim Sangma, died June 19, 1918.
The men from Garo Hills were recruited into the 69th Garo Labour Company to support Allied forces in WWI through road construction and supply transport.
Speaker Sangma said the visit was deeply significant as it uncovered the resting places of Garo men whose sacrifice had remained largely unknown for over a century.
The discovery links Meghalaya’s history to India’s wider contribution to the Allied war effort.
The delegation included Deputy Speaker Limison D. Sangma, Deputy Chief Whip Ronnie V. Lyngdoh, MTDC Chairman Marthon J. Sangma, Assembly Secretary Malthus S. Sangma and Deputy Secretary Raja Kharpuri.
The Malta visit, part of the post-CPA Conference tour after Cape Town, South Africa, was facilitated by the High Commission of India in Malta.
The Assembly said the documentation of the graves marks a key step in preserving Garo Hills’ wartime history and honouring its WW-I labour heroes.
