By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 21: Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang has said that crimes against minors in Meghalaya have shown a declining trend over the past three years, despite recent tragic incidents that have sparked public concern.
Responding to queries regarding the alleged murders of two minors from Nongrah, Nongrang clarified that she would not describe the current situation as a surge in crimes against children.
“If we look at the figures, we actually see a declining trend over the past three years. However, the concern arises from the fact that these incidents have occurred in very close succession, one after another,” the DGP said.
On the ongoing investigations, Nongrang informed that the police have not yet identified the perpetrators in the case of the seven-year-old’s alleged murder.
However, in the case involving a four-year-old girl, she said the police are confident about the suspect’s identity, and the accused has already been arrested.
The DGP also made a significant observation that in many such cases—whether involving victims or perpetrators—the individuals often come from dysfunctional family backgrounds. “This shows that the problem is not merely a law-and-order issue but reflects a deeper social concern,” Nongrang said.
When asked about the role of society in addressing crimes against minors, she highlighted the need for a holistic and coordinated approach.
Nongrang informed that the Chief Minister had recently convened a meeting with all relevant stakeholders to review and strengthen the government’s response to such incidents. “There are multiple issues and multiple causes involved, and unless we take a holistic view and work together, it will not be possible for the police department alone to resolve them,” she added.
Nongrang’s remarks come amid heightened public anxiety following the recent back-to-back cases of alleged child murders in the state, underscoring the urgent need for both robust law enforcement and social intervention.
