SHILLONG, March 19: Making the most out of the final day of the Assembly budget session here on Friday, KHNAM legislator Adelbert Nongrum revisited the subject on the sex workers expressing to the House his disappointment over the Meghalaya government’s denial on their presence at Khyndai Lad.
Initiating a discussion on the matter which extended for 30 minutes, the MLA, citing social media reports, said that the police are fully aware about such activities in the area.
“I have no intention to question the ignorance of Home Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui, on this issue. I am here to offer my support in eradicating these social evils which are harmful to the society at large,” the KHNAM legislator stated.
He insisted that the state government should clarify whether Khyndai Lad is a pick-up point of sex workers or not.
Elucidating the reason for his persistence in pursuing this issue, the MLA informed that he is concerned about women who are coerced into enter into flesh trade.
“As per the report of National AIDS Control Organisation, there are 1,553 female sex workers who are registered under many projects run by the different NGOs in the year 2018-2019,” he said.
He informed that the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) had last year reported that there are 4,435 registered people living with HIV in the state, out of which, 2,198 are female and 223 are children.
According to him, these figures are alarming with the population just more than 32 or 33 lakh. “We are a very small state with a small population. It is not expected that trafficking is rampant in such a small population. I would request the state government to conduct a study on the condition of the female sex workers in the state,” KHNAM legislator said.
There is a need to find out how many women are forced into becoming a sex worker irrespective of their background.
“We need to find how many women are ready to leave the profession if provided with a better opportunity,” Nongrum stated.
The MLA told the House that if the government is not serious in addressing the issue, then it will turn out to be even worse than COVID-19.
In his reply, Home Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui, informed that the state government has been working in tandem with MACS for the rehabilitation of sex workers. “The society is implementing a programme called ‘Targeted Intervention Projects for Female Sex Workers’ through different NGOs with the objective of preventing transmission of HIV and other sexual transmitted disease and to provide support service,” Rymbui said.
Rymbui also spoke about a provision — ‘Drop in Centre’ — wherein a safe space is provided for this targeted population, informing the House that this serves as a counseling and recreational centre, health check-up, access to contraceptives, IEC materials etc.
The home minister further informed that hotels, lodges and guest houses located in Khyndai Lad area are regularly checked, and stay-in individuals are also verified.
“Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of East Khasi Hills also conducts raids when reports about immoral activities are received. Night patrols are being carried out at regular intervals by police officers and personnel of East Khasi Hills,” Rymbui assured.
According to him, a special women cell has been set at Sadar Police Station exclusively for dealing with cases of sexual assault, domestic violence, missing cases and immoral trafficking.
“We need to create awareness among sex workers about the risk of exploitation and human trafficking,” he stated.
