WILLIAMNAGAR: The Meghalaya Government has announced a major initiative to popularise the stories of the state’s freedom fighters, beginning with a fully scripted play on the life of Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma, the legendary Garo warrior who fought against British colonisation.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, speaking at the 153rd Death Anniversary commemorative programme at Togan Park, Chisobibra today, said the Government will prepare detailed scripts and dramatic adaptations of Pa Togan’s life and make them available to schools and colleges across the state.
“We will encourage educational institutions to organise plays and dramas on Meghalaya’s freedom fighters. A structured script on Pa Togan’s life will soon be shared so that students can enact his story. This is important for keeping our youth connected to their roots,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that a short play on Pa Togan has already been produced—a step that he said reflects the growing efforts to revive and retell the stories of Meghalaya’s unsung heroes.
Honouring a Heroic Legacy
The solemn programme paid homage to Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma, whose courage and sacrifice continue to define the collective identity and pride of the Garo community.
Addressing the gathering, Conrad K. Sangma said the anniversary is a reminder of the bravery with which Pa Togan resisted British forces in 1872.
“Pa Togan stood up against the British Empire and sacrificed his life for the nation. His bravery was born out of deep love for his land and his people. As A’chik, we should be proud of Pa Togan. He fought to protect our land, our identity and our freedom,” he said.
The Chief Minister stressed that the stories of freedom fighters must be passed from one generation to the next.
“Our past reminds us of who we are. It is our responsibility to ensure the youth grow up knowing the heroes who shaped our land,” he said.
Government Support & Cultural Promotion
Conrad K. Sangma also assured continued support to the Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma Memorial Association for organising the annual commemoration and said that the state is committed to improving heritage sites associated with the freedom fighter.
He informed that under the World Tourism Day Community-led Tourism Fund and the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund (CMSDF), the Government has already provided ₹17 lakh for infrastructure development at Chisobibra, with an additional ₹20 lakh to be released soon.
Cabinet Minister Marcuise N. Marak, who also attended the programme, praised Pa Togan’s leadership, calling his sacrifice a symbol of patriotism, unity and community pride. He thanked the organisers and local community for preserving the warrior’s legacy year after year.
Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma: The Hero Who Defied an Empire
The story of Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma stands as one of the most powerful resistance narratives in Meghalaya’s history.
In 1872, as British forces marched into Garo Hills, Pa Togan led a band of A’chik warriors armed not with rifles but with shields made from banana stems—a symbol that courage springs from spirit, not weaponry.
“Chakatbo!” he cried to his warriors, rallying them to defend their ancestral land. The battle that followed was fierce, and though heavily outnumbered, Pa Togan fought at the frontlines with unyielding resolve.
He fell that day, but his defiance inspired generations and continues to fuel the cultural pride of the Garo people. His story remains a testament to the unbroken spirit of Meghalaya’s indigenous communities.
