GENDER-BASED CRIMES
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 10: Law Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Thursday said the government is reviewing potential legal reforms, including amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and expanding the women’s police stations, to shield women and children in the state from violent crimes.
She, however, called for society-wide reforms, as the “solution lies not just in policing but in confronting deeper failures” within homes, communities, and institutions.
“We have to reach out to the community and the church. Responsibility must begin at the family level and grow to become a community concern. The church leadership must also be involved,” Lyngdoh said, reflecting the government’s growing concern over recurring cases of gender-based violence.
After attending the funeral of a woman who was murdered in Mairang, the minister described the incident as a chilling reminder of how vulnerable women continue to be, even within their homes and neighbourhoods.
She cautioned against viewing the recent spate of cases as an entirely new phenomenon, attributing the increased visibility to rising awareness and more proactive reporting. “These crimes may have occurred in the past but were swept under the rug. Today, reporting is improving thanks to greater awareness, but that means we must also strengthen our systems,” she said.
In a stark observation about violence committed within the home, Lyngdoh said, “When a stepfather rapes his stepdaughter, it is not just a legal issue but a breakdown of the family unit.”
For her, the solution begins at the root; empowering families to foster open discussions, making women and children aware of their rights, and acknowledging that these crimes often stem from unresolved emotional and psychological issues.
Praising the swift response of the police in the recent cases, she expressed optimism that the leadership of a woman Director General of Police will enhance institutional responsiveness. Yet, she was quick to point out that law enforcement alone cannot bear the weight of societal breakdown.
“The police are responsive, but we cannot rely solely on them. Community participation is the key,” she emphasised.
Lyngdoh also addressed the silence that continues to surround domestic abuse and sexual violence, noting the reluctance of many survivors and families to report crimes due to fear of stigma or mistrust in the system. “Women themselves are often hesitant to file FIRs. There’s stigma, gossip, and the perception that the police may not act. This must change,” she said, underlining the need to build confidence in institutional mechanisms.
Equally troubling, she said, are the gaps in addressing the psychological roots of such violence.
“When violence happens within the home, we need to ask what the root cause is. Is it anger management? Do we have systems in place to address this? Right now, we don’t,” she admitted, while revealing that the government is working on community-led frameworks involving mandatory counselling and alternative punishments for offenders.
Lyngdoh also said that the Cabinet is reviewing potential legal reforms, including amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, to reinforce protections for women and children. According to her, the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the network of women’s police stations across the state.
“We cannot ignore this alarming reality. We must start teaching women to protect themselves and give them the tools and support they need. This has to happen at various levels — family, community, law enforcement, and policy,” Lyngdoh concluded, calling for an all-hands-on-deck response to what she called a growing crisis that demands collective resolve.