IN his Budget speech on Wednesday, Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma who also holds the Finance portfolio while dwelling at length on measures for maintaining “internal security,” (read addressing militancy), just glossed over the rising crimes against women and children in the State. All he had to say was that, “measures are being put in place to deal with crime against women and children and that dedicated police officers will be entrusted to fast track the investigation into all crimes against them.” Belatedly the Chief Minister mentions the creation of a separate Directorate of Prosecution which was suggested by the Police Reforms Committee way back in 2000- 2001. As for his assurance that Special Courts will be set up for expeditious trials and disposal of cases relating to crimes against women, it remains to be seen when that would fructify.
Recently some sex workers spoke to a local television channel and said they were using Marveline’s Inn since 2103 for their trade. They said they walked in and out without checking in or checking out at the registration desk and without being questioned. This exposes the fact that the guest house was used for a full-fledged sex racket. Is it possible that the police never knew about this flourishing trade in the city? If so then the police intelligence network is woefully inadequate and inefficient. The other reason could be that Marveline’s Inn had protection from no less than the Home Minister whose son runs that guest house. That he continues to hold the Home portfolio pending investigation into the goings-on at the Inn and now after the confession by the sex workers themselves, show that he has the backing of the Chief Minister and is therefore unflappable. It also betrays the Chief Minister’s half-hearted commitment to address crimes against women. If the CM was serious he would have told the HM to step down and allowed the law to take its course no matter how high or mighty the person is. As far as women are concerned the law has failed them big time!