Shillong, Dec. 12: Meghalaya today paid tributes to one of its heroes — Pa Togan Nengminza Sangma — who died fighting the British imperialist forces on December 12, 1872.

The 141st death anniversary of the brave A’chik warrior was commemorated this morning at Chisobibra village, located on the banks of the Simsang river. The area is around 15km from Williamnagar, the headquarters of East Garo Hills district.

In 1872, British soldiers entered the Garo hills and set up a camp near Chisobibra village. Pa Togan Sangma and other warriors launched an attack against the British forces, only to face a barrage of bullets. Being ill-equipped, the warriors suffered grave losses, and Pa Togan Sangma died on the spot in his quest to save his motherland and his people.

Today’s commemorative ceremony was led by the Pa Togan Sangma Memorial Association where Meghalaya’s social welfare minister Deborah C. Marak was the chief guest. The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) chief, Alphonse Sangma, was the guest of honour.

Floral tributes were paid to the brave warrior and cultural programmes organised. While paying homage to the warrior, Marak said the area had the potential to be developed into an attractive tourist spot where local people would find employment. She said plans are already afoot to transform the place into a tourist destination. East Garo Hills deputy commissioner Vijay Kumar Mantri, who was present on the occasion, said if the warrior were still alive today, he would have fought against the violence that is prevalent in society.