By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 13: The 14-year-old girl who was reported missing from Umpling Dong Shaneng Block-6 was found in the house of a 25-year-old labourer from Mookaiaw, West Jaintia Hills.
East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem, informed reporters on Monday that the girl had been in a relationship with the accused for about two weeks.
The Dorbar Shnong Umpling has stated that it had no prior information or record about the accused.
“The house owner who had engaged the accused to repair their house did not inform the Dorbar,” Umpling Rangbah Shnong, Sanwat Fair Pyngrope said.
Confirming the arrest of the labourer, the SP said the girl was found in the house where he was staying.
The police registered a case of assault and wrongful confinement against the accused following a missing person report lodged by the girl’s father at the Rynjah Police Station.
The accused was produced before the court on Monday evening, and police have sought his judicial custody.
Acting on specific inputs, police traced the missing girl to the house in the same locality, Umpling Dong Shaneng Block-5.
Syiem attributed the successful tracing of the girl to the cooperation of members of the Dorbar Shnong, the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, and multiple police response teams.
He said that coordination and timely sharing of information played a crucial role in locating the teenager.
“We reviewed CCTV footage with the assistance of the BSF and collaborated closely with the Dorbar Shnong. I was in touch with the Umpling Rangbah Shnong, who provided vital ground information about the family and the case. This allowed us to act swiftly,” he explained.
The SP noted that various response mechanisms, including technology support, patrolling, and combing operations, were mobilised within minutes to trace the girl.
Beyond the operational success, Syiem emphasised the importance of parental engagement and child safety in the digital age.
“Parents need to build a strong bond with their children to understand their social media interactions, friends, and contacts. Children often believe they know better than their parents, but parental guidance is crucial. Such bonding ensures that children confide in their parents about their daily activities, which can prevent dangerous situations,” he said.
Syiem also highlighted the significance of community coordination in maintaining safety, particularly in light of recent cases in the district.
“Coordination with local stakeholders, including Dorbar Shnongs, Seng Longkmie, Seng Samla, and the Village Defence Parties (VDPs), is essential. Patrolling by police alone cannot cover every area. VDPs act as first responders in emergencies, assist victims, and sometimes help manage mob situations, ensuring that law and order are maintained,” he added.
On the subject of crime prevention infrastructure, the SP underscored the role of CCTV cameras and street lighting.
“Well-placed CCTV cameras act as a deterrent and provide crucial evidence for investigation. Guest houses, hotels, offices, and business establishments are now required to install at least one CCTV facing the road. Many crimes occur in dark alleys or less visible areas, so proper placement is vital,” he said.
Syiem also noted that gaps in surveillance can hinder investigations, citing the Nongspung case, where cameras were either non-functional or poorly positioned. He emphasised that combining infrastructure with vigilant community participation strengthens safety and helps prevent potential crimes.
The SP reiterated that safety and security are a shared responsibility between the police and the community.
“By strengthening coordination, using technology effectively, and fostering strong parent-child relationships, we can create a safer environment for children and residents,” he said.
Earlier, Pyngrope stated that the Dorbar Shnong had issued an advisory urging parents to be more vigilant and to monitor their children closely.
He also appealed to churches to be watchful when children attend Sunday school to prevent any unfortunate incidents.
Pyngrope mentioned that residents from nearby localities had also joined in the search operation for the missing girl, which, he said, reflected the strong sense of community and solidarity among the residents.
He further stated that the locality had previously requested the government to install CCTV cameras in various parts of the area, but there has been no response yet.
He added that the locality will soon convene a meeting with the women’s organisation, youth organisation, and church leaders to discuss measures to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
