By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The brutal rape of a seven-year-old girl school girl in Malki has yet again raised serious questions on the safety of women and children in the State. While condemning the barbaric act, many felt that the need of the hour is cooperation from all sections of the society to strengthen the weak system.
Reacting to the incident, Shillong East legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh said, “We are very focused on this mysterious case and need cooperation from all sections of the society. This incident has drawn our attention towards the security scenario in the dark alleys along the Malki forest where frequent incidents take place.”
Lyngdoh asserted that there is an immediate need to light up the dark streets along the Malki forest which leads to the main habitats while fencing the whole forest area with a single entry and exit point to prevent miscreants from entering it.
“The matter had been taken up with the Forest Minister and we hope that everything will be taken care of”, Lyngdoh said while adding that the same will not only prevent frequent crimes in the area but also help preserve the fauna and flora.
Terming the present case as mysterious, Lyngdoh observed that there are still some factors which are missing even as she relates to the manner in which the crime had taken place where the minor was picked up from a crowded area and dragged to the forest.
“The fact that different people are coming up with different versions of the incident may hamper police investigation and I think we need to leave the matter to the experts and prevent ourselves from intruding into it until the case is solved”, Ampareen said.
The Seng Longkmie of Malki met the Home Minister Roshan Warjri on Tuesday to urging her to look into certain points relating to the case.
“Information on the status of the case, forensic test on the uniform of the child, procedures for interrogation and protection of the child’s identity including methods used for interrogating a minor should be looked into. The psychological treatment of the traumatized child is very important,” Seng Longkmie, Kharmalki President Klin Badwar said in a memorandum sent to the Home Minister.
A request for strengthening of the village defence party (VDP) was also made and it was urged that the search for the described culprits be coordinated with the Dorbar
Shnong, Seng Kynthei and Seng Samla. A demand for frequent patrolling of forest boundaries was also made.
“Since rape case is on the increase and culprits are left scot-free, we implore the concerned authorities to take stiff measures against these recurring crimes happening everywhere”, Badwar said.
Meanwhile, the Seng Samla, Malki would hold a peace rally to various parts of the locality which would start from 8 am till 12 pm on May 16 to condemn the rape of the seven-year-old.
The Dorbar Shnong along with the Seng Samla has decided to shut down the locality till the peace rally is over.
In this regard, the local MLA said that she has informed the members of the Seng Samla to coordinate with the Superintendent of Police to prevent any untoward incident from taking place during the rally. “It is also very important for the Seng Samla to make sure that the rally organised for a noble cause is not hijacked by unknown miscreants”, she added.
The FKJGP Malki Circle also condemned the inhuman act against the innocent child and extended support to the victim.