SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has named Julius Dorphang, the Mawhati MLA who is in prison for twice raping a 13-year-old girl, in two committees proving the State Government’s flippancy in dealing with the rising incidents of crime against women and children.
A notification on the constitution of various committees that was issued by the Legislative Assembly on Friday showed Dorphang’s name on the list of members of the privileges and the subordinate legislation panels.
The other members of the Committee of Privileges are Paul Lyngdoh, Saleng A. Sangma, Winnerson D. Sangma and Dikkanchi D. Shira.
Saleng Sangma is the chairman of the committee.
The other committee to be headed by Sanbor Shullai has Saleng Sangma, Titosstarwell Chyne and Phlastingwell Pangniang as members, besides Dorphang.
Dorphang, who is a former leader of the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council, was elected as MLA from Mawhati in 2013.
He is accused of raping the minor girl in a city guest house in Shillong and a resort in Ri Bhoi last year. After remaining untraceable for many days, the MLA was arrested from Guwahati in January this year.
Dorphang is still in judicial custody.
Though Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had promised to ensure safety of women and children and despite several state machineries taking up frequent awareness programmes, the government has done little to show its commitment in alleviating the problems.
Despite demand from several quarters, no action has been taken against Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh whose guest house was used for trafficking and exploitation of girls.
