SHILLONG: The Chairperson of State Women’s Commission, Theilin Phanbuh, said that the commission apprised Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on the setting up of fast track courts to ensure that cases of rape against women are disposed of. Phanbuh told The Shillong Times that the commission met the chief minister, who took keen interest in the matter, last December.
It may be mentioned that in January this year, the Union Law ministry said that out of total 31 states and UTs, so far, 24 states have joined a scheme to set up a total of 1,023 ‘fast-track special courts’ (FTSCs) to dispose of over 1.60 lakh cases of rape of children and women pending in various courts across the country. Meghalaya is yet to join the scheme.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Meena Kharkongor said, “In our state, most of the districts have set up exclusive POCSO courts so that trials can be speedily disposed of but we need dedicated prosecution, a regular sitting of the courts and less adjournments”.
As for setting up fast track courts, she said that they are established for clearing cases which are pending for more than two years and above.
“Just having fast track courts will not help if all the officials like the judge, prosecution, defence counsels and witnesses do not cooperate. The courts should be very cautious in allowing frivolous adjournments sought by the counsels. Investigation also plays a vital role when apprehending accused persons”, she remarked.
She said that the full detailed particulars of a person have to be secured so that these people do not jump bail and disappear.
She observed that most of the time accused is not found and this is also a major cause for delays in conducting trials.
Pride march
Kharkongor also informed that a ‘Pride Walk’ will be held on March 1.
As per the direction of the National Commission for Women (NCW), the State Women’s Commission (SWC) will organise a ‘Pride Walk’ on March 1 in the evening with an aim to promote women’s safety as a nation-wide concern.
The walk will also take into account the rising cases of violence against women. The main objective is to advocate women’s right to occupy public spaces as an unconditional and fundamental right, to scale up and reach out to a wider audience for women’s safety on the road, especially at night, to facilitate a progressive mindset change in the society and to eradicate self blaming.
