By Patrick Kurbah
Meghalaya, a state which has historically sought peaceful and crime-free coexistence, is now in the clutch of a worrying erosion of law and order. A noticeable surge in crime—ranging from theft and drug-related offences to targeted violence against labourers—has begun to shatter the calm and security of living that once defined this hill state.
Despite the urgency of the situation calling for immediate, coordinated, and effective action, relevant state authorities have failed to address the critical nature of the issue.
Just in Shillong alone, a pronounced spike in crimes has been disrupting day-to-day lives of late. According to data from the Meghalaya Police reported in The Shillong Times (December 2024), between January and October 2024 alone, Shillong recorded 187 burglary cases—a sharp 20% increase over the same period in 2023.
These burglaries now account for nearly 18% of all property crimes reported across the state, indicating a disproportionate concentration of such activity in the capital.
Neighborhoods like Laitumkhrah, Pohkseh, Nongthymmai, Mawlai, and Polo are most affected. What is particularly troubling is the changing modus operandi—criminals are increasingly targeting homes during daylight hours when residents are away, reflecting a shift that may be a response to heightened nighttime vigilance.
Looking back, the trend appears to be more than just a recent anomaly. In 2023, Shillong recorded 876 theft cases, a staggering 42% rise from 617 cases in 2019. This consistent increase over the past few years indicates long-term erosion of public safety and hints at deeper structural and societal issues.
One of the key drivers behind this rise in property crime appears to be the escalating drug problem. In September 2024, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of East Khasi Hills acknowledged a likely connection between the increase in theft and the district’s growing substance abuse problem. Petty crimes, especially thefts, are increasingly being committed by individuals struggling with addiction, seeking quick money to sustain their habits.
Supporting this assessment, various media reports show growing concern among residents about the increasing involvement of minors in drug-fuelled burglaries. Many thefts have been captured on CCTV and circulated widely on social media, amplifying public anxiety. The involvement of children and teenagers points to a deeper crisis: the widespread penetration of drugs into the younger demographic, especially because of socio-economic issues like unemployment.
Yet police patrolling and strict measures have lagged behind, despite reports suggesting that substance abuse among the youth has reached epidemic proportions, wherein consumption of substances like heroin is among the highest in Meghalaya, surpassing even Punjab.
Even in mid-2023, citizens had started raising concerns. A letter to The Shillong Times in June 2023, recounted a thief repeatedly entering a home in Upper New Colony, underscoring not only the audacity of criminals but gaps in investigation.
The substance abuse crisis in Meghalaya is not limited to Shillong. Data from the Meghalaya Social Welfare Department reveals that the state’s opioid consumption rate stands at 6.34%, more than three times the national average of 2.06%. Alarmingly, over 50% of tobacco users in Meghalaya begin usage before the age of 17, significantly higher than the national average of 23.6%.
In August 2024, the Social Welfare Minister revealed that the number of drug users in the state had risen from 2 lakh to 3 lakh in just one year—a dramatic 50% increase. This means approximately 10% of Meghalaya’s population is now affected by drug use — an alarming statistic indeed. Among youth aged 15 to 29, the usage rate reportedly touches 30%, indicating a particularly vulnerable demographic.
Despite 653 drug-related cases being registered and 1,161 arrests over five years, the conviction rate is just 25%.
Even former Governor Phagu Chauhan, in a public statement in September 2024, labelled drug abuse as a “silent epidemic” that is damaging the state’s youth and threatening socio-economic stability.
Despite the gravity of the situation, comprehensive crime data for 2023 and 2024 remains elusive. The absence of transparent, regularly updated statistics significantly hampers accountability and limits the capacity of both the public and policymakers to understand the scale of the problem.
In Meghalaya, the Human Rights Commission has taken note of specific incidents, including the mistreatment of a peaceful hunger striker and the killing of a daily wage labourer, yet a state-wide review of the law and order situation is still lacking.
The data and incidents outlined above point to a clear and disturbing trend: Meghalaya’s law and order situation is deteriorating rapidly. The convergence of rising property crime, a spiralling drug epidemic, and violence against citizens in broad daylight demands urgent attention.
While the government has initiated several commendable steps—such as launching the DREAM mission, pushing for a special NDPS court, and legislating for worker safety—these actions need to be scaled, sustained, and more effectively enforced.
Meghalaya stands at a critical juncture. The future well-being, socio-economic stability, and reputation of the state depend on bold and immediate action. The time to act is now.
(The author is a legal consultant)