SHILLONG, Sep 14: Trinamool Congress MLA from Umroi, George B Lyngdoh on Wednesday said Meghalaya ranks the third-highest in crime against women and second in crime against children among the north-eastern states.
This clearly speaks about the current law-and-order situation in the state, he said while raising a short-duration discussion on the safety and security of the people in the state.
He referred to the data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), according to which the state recorded 558 incidents of crime against women in 2019, 568 in 2020 and 685 in 2021 to take the third-highest spot among the eight states in the Northeast.
The NCRB data showed crime against children in the state increased from 379 in 2019 to 415 in 2020 and 481 in 2021.
Pointing out that there has been a 22.7% increase in crimes against women and a 27% increase in the crimes against children since 2019, Lyngdoh said the figures underline the law-and-order situation, especially where the safety of women and children is concerned. He sought a collective effort to ensure such crimes are kept in check and the culprits booked according to the law.
He said delays in investigating several cases of crime have got people thinking about the efficacy of the prevalent laws.
Reminding the House that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had claimed the government was working late at night to resolve the issues of the state, Lyngdoh asked if the government would take responsibility for the crimes and illegal activities just as it takes credit for all the good things done.
The TMC leader, also the Opposition Chief Whip, said there are discussions about Rohingya being spotted in the city. “If this is true, the intelligence network needs to be strengthened in view of the crimes against women and children besides the threat of infiltration,” he said.
He expressed concern over the reported attempts of certain groups to infiltrate into adjoining Assam and other northeastern states.
On the MRSSA, Lyngdoh said it is a step forward and appreciated the government’s efforts but asked why its implementation is confined to certain localities.
He suggested sensitising the Nokmas and traditional heads on keeping records of people coming to and residing in villages and localities and avoiding the delay in registration.
Joining in the discussion, Mawsynram’s TMC legislator HM Shangpliang said the mob lynching in Jaintia Hills was a stark example of people losing their faith in the police and taking the law into their own hands.
Questioning the escape, he said people will lose their trust in the system when criminals break out of jails in broad daylight.
Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem raised the issue of drug addicts and of providing government-run rehabilitation centres for them as the private ones are too expensive for the common people. He suggested the strengthening of the district task forces to deal with the problem of drugs and regular patrolling on the highways to ensure the safety of women and children.
West Shillong MLA Mohendro Rapsang spoke on the drug menace in his constituency leading to an increase in cases of assault and loot while the culprits go scot-free. Requesting the government to deploy more security personnel at night, he thanked the CM for installing high-end CCTVs at vulnerable points under two police stations.
East Shillong MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh expressed concern about the lack of follow-up in cases of crime against women.
She suggested the formation of a committee of experts to study the applications and operationalisation of laws that have become redundant, strengthen the forensic lab, use technology that acts as deterrents and have a plan in place to check the crime rate in the state.
TMC leader Mukul Sangma said one has to factor in the joblessness and frustration of the people while dealing with the prevailing situation.
He said trust and confidence of the people in the system is crucial. “That is why the government should have taken cognisance of the (Justice T Vaiphei) inquiry report on the August 13 incident (killing of former HNLC leader Cheristerfield Thangkhiew) immediately, he said.
He also said many surrendered GNLA members have not received the financial support that was part and parcel of the rehabilitation package.
Stating that the maximum job opportunity is created in the police department, he questioned the delay in the recruitment process and the non-filling up of vacancies. He also questioned the logic behind the frequent transfer of police officers.
Nongkrem MLA Lambor Malngiang flagged the increasing cases of crime in the rural areas and of young boys getting addicted to drugs and resorting to crimes to fund their addiction.
Citing such cases in his constituency, he requested the police to conduct awareness programmes in rural areas aggressively. He also requested the government to look into the lack of police vehicles while referring to the Madanrting police station that caters to a large area of Shillong.
Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Shylla lauded the police for nabbing many drug suppliers as part of its crackdown and requested the state government to install CCTV cameras in vulnerable areas besides setting up a government rehabilitation centre.
Shella MLA Balajied Synrem suggested creating a special team to tackle the drug menace in the urban areas, improve infrastructure and increase manpower in the rural areas, expand MRSSA to cover the entire state and create more job opportunities.
Rongara-Siju MLA Rakkam A Sangma thanked the state government for making South Garo Hills a safe haven after years of being ravaged by militancy. He patted the government for the “finest” law-and-order situation but said one should go beyond Shillong or Tura to know how people survive.
Speaking on the matter, Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said Meghalaya has been the most peaceful state this year but the increasing cases of crime against women and children have been a blot.
The minister said several cases of crime had to be taken up because of anti-social elements who tried to disturb peace and tranquillity. He said that under relevant provisions of the law, criminal cases were initiated against protesters and since 2018 and a total of 209 cases relating to law and order have been registered.
Of these, 44 cases ended in charge sheet while 215 arrests were made.
The Home Minister also said the state saw more than 3,000 cases being registered annually for the past five years. These cases are of murder, abduction, crimes against women and children, in cases against NDPS and NGT.
He said a total of 3,534 cases were registered in 2018 and 3,885 cases in 2019. The number dipped to 3,735 in 2020 and registered a further decrease to 3,425 in 2020. A total of 2,291 cases were registered up to August this year.
He further said the police department has been able to arrest 8,805 criminals involved in various crimes in the past 5 years, and a total of 549 individuals have been convicted for their involvement in criminal activities.
He said crimes against women and children have been reported from all the districts in the past 5 years, indicating that this is an area requiring special attention and immediate remedial measures.
He said that since 2018, a total of 1,267 cases have been registered in the state where the victim of such cases was a woman. A total of 408 cases have also been registered where the victims were minors, he added.
Rymbui said cases registered under Prevention of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) reached 1,542 cases since 2018.
“These cases of crime against women and children are indeed a deep concern for all of us, as the vulnerable sections of the society are being targeted by criminals from time to time,” he added.
He pointed out that criminals involved in such cases have also been arrested and prosecuted under relevant provisions of law and a total of 1,260 accused persons have been arrested in the past 5 years and under POCSO Act, a total of 1,357 criminals have been arrested since 2018. He added that a total of 103 accused persons have been convicted in the same time period.
On drugs abuse and trafficking, Rymbui said the menace of drug abuse and trafficking is a matter of great concern even though the sentinels of law are working round the clock for detecting and preventing the menace.
He said 389 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act, 656 persons arrested and 168 were charge-sheeted during the past five years. A total of 14,505 grams of heroin, 2,49,635 methamphetamine tablets, 5,330 kg cannabis and 3,732 bottles of Phensedyl (cough syrup) were seized in various cases.
On the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016, he said the state government has taken steps in its implementation to prevent anti-social elements from getting shelter in the state and verify and regulate the tenants living in rented houses in the state.
He said the implementation of the digitised system would not only ensure the safety and security of the residents but also act as a strong intelligence gathering system for the authorities to monitor and act, based on the inputs gathered.
He added that a Task Force has been constituted in all districts to facilitate effective enforcement of the Act. In the initial phase, seven localities in East Khasi Hills – Nongrim Hills, Pohkseh, Lapalang, Nongmensong, Nongrah, Wahdienglieng and Riat Laban – have been selected for registration.
The minister further said the state government has taken steps in installing CCTVs at strategic locations to enable the police to keep a close watch on criminal activities and ensure better surveillance. A total of 280 CCTVs have been installed in different districts of the state, he added.
West Garo Hills district has the most CCTVs (103) followed by North Garo Hills with 33, South Garo Hills with 19, Ri-Bhoi with 10, West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills and West Jaintia Hills with six each and East Garo Hills with three.
