By Ibankyntiew Mawrie
SHILLONG, April 27: The norms that hold the society together are being re-defined; the clans that used to be a protective system and a shield have weakened, Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) Chairperson, Iamon M Syiem rued when asked about the rise in the number of crimes against children in Meghalaya.
“It is sad that this is happening in a matrilineal society like ours because the very society and the same clan that is supposed to be a shield is weakening – the fences are collapsing,” Syiem said, adding that there have been a rise in cases of minor girls and boys being raped by their maternal uncles, siblings and even biological fathers.
In an exclusive interview with The Shillong Times, Syiem said there has been an increase in the number of cases under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act, cases during the pandemic and this could be attributed to several reasons like restlessness, poverty and alcoholism.
According to police reports, in 2020 alone, a total of 398 cases of crime against children were reported in Meghalaya – the highest being in East Khasi Hills with 105 cases. Of the total 398 cases, 318 were cases of sexual offences with 26 per cent (73 cases) reported in East Khasi Hills followed by 51 cases in Ri-Bhoi, accounting for 15 per cent.
As per the statistics on ‘Crimes against Children in 2020’, the state reported three cases of murder (one in EJH and two in WJH); one case of infanticide (EKH); 55 cases of kidnapping (17 each in WGH and EKH, 7 in WJH, 4 each in RB and SWGH, 3 in WJH, 2 in SWKH and 1 in EGH); one case of child labour (EKH) and 318 cases of sexual abuses (73 in EKH, 51 in RB, 44 in WKH, 34 in WJH, 29 in EJH, 21 in EGH, 15 in SWGH, 17 in WGH, 9 in SWKH and 8 in NGH).
There has been a slight increase in the number of cases in 2020 as compared to 2019. The total number of cases reported in 2019 was 362 while it rose to 398 in 2020.
Meghalaya has seen a steady increase in the number of crimes against children since 2007. A total of 71 cases were reported in 2007; 62 in 2008; 83 in 2009; 110 in 2010; 104 in 2011; 91 in 2012; 183 in 2013; 213 in 2014; 257 in 2015; 240 in 2016; 379 in 2017; 342 in 2018; 262 in 2019 and 398 in 2020.
“We need to examine the ‘whys’; we cannot be too quick to come up with a cure. We need to go deeper and find out the root cause,” the MSCPCR chief said while stating that generalizing the issue based on the locations is not advisable.
She said there are dark secrets everywhere – even in the urban pockets of the state but people don’t really discuss them for fear of discrimination and stigmatisation. “In the rural villages, almost everyone knows everybody so the crime is usually not hidden unlike in urban areas,” she added.
Syiem is also of the view that one of the reasons why cases are on the rise is because of better reportage since people are now more informed and ready to adopt legal recourse.
“As a sociologist, it is difficult to generalize but there are conditions where children are not protected – there may be two factors – one is that children are not aware of good touch and bad touch and the second factor is the weakening social norms. Sexual predators often use alcohol as an excuse for committing vengeful crimes. It is difficult to identify,” she added.
Syiem informed that post the pandemic, the Commission is planning to take various awareness programmes to the grassroots. “At present, we are trying to do a social mapping of areas where children are most vulnerable – both in terms of safety and security and education as there is also an increase of teenage pregnancy and dropouts. We are strategizing on ways to deal with the problems that affect those areas,” she said.
The conviction rate continues to remain dismal while pending trials keep on piling up every year. As per statistics, from 2007 to 2016, only 57 accused were convicted and 100 acquitted.
“The laws are there but we need stronger and more stringent punishments. If there were more convictions, then there would be more fear,” the MSCPCR chief said while stressing the need for active coordination between the Commission, the Social Welfare department, the police and the law.
“Sometimes, we see many (accused) walk scot-free because of several challenges and I’m sorry to say this but there were times when lawyers don’t coordinate. Hence, justice is delayed for a number of reasons,” she observed.
Syiem also highlighted the need for more children’s homes to be set up in the state as there have been cases of parents in rural areas wanting to send their children to the homes for fear of exposing them to predators while they are at work in the fields.