Shillong, Sep 26 A delegation from Meghalaya has identified the graves of three Garo men who served with the British 69th Garo Labour Company during World War 1 at the Pieta Military Cemetery in the Mediterranean island nation of Malta, officials said on Saturday.
Till now, the grave of Khew Marak, who died on June 15, 1918, was understood to be the only known grave of a Garo member of the 69th Garo Labour Company at the cemetery.
Led by Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma, the delegation paid homage to four Garo men from Meghalaya who are buried at the Commonwealth-maintained military cemetery, officials said.
“We have successfully identified the graves of three Garo men at Malta. We were made to understand that they came to assist the Allies during World War I,” Sangma told PTI.
During the visit, the delegation identified the graves of Ading Marak and Join Marak, both of whom died on June 10, 1918, and Sangjim Sangma, who died on June 19, 1918.
The Garo Labour Company was among the labour units recruited from the region during World War 1 to support the Allied war effort, with its members undertaking tasks such as road construction, maintenance and transportation of supplies.
The discovery has brought to light an important link between Meghalaya’s history and India’s wider contribution to the Allied war effort during the World Wars.
Paying tribute to the fallen, Sangma said the visit was deeply significant for Meghalaya as it brought to light the resting places of Garo men whose contributions and sacrifices had remained largely unknown.
The delegation included Deputy Speaker Limison D Sangma, Deputy Chief Whip Ronnie V Lyngdoh and Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Marthon J Sangma. Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Secretary Malthus S Sangma and Deputy Secretary Raja Kharpuri also accompanied the delegation.
The visit to Malta formed part of the delegation’s post-conference study tour following its participation in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, according to Thomas.
(PTI News)
