By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 22: The Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) has summoned four present and former officials of the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) over alleged failure to act on complaints of sexual harassment lodged by members of the state Under-23 women’s cricket team.
The commission has directed MCA honorary secretary Rayonald Kharkamni, former MCA president Nababrata Bhattacharjee, former treasurer Dhrubajyoti Thakuria, and former cricket operations manager Shining Star Lyngdoh to appear before it on May 26.
According to notices issued by the commission, the officials allegedly knew about complaints of sexual harassment faced by members of the women’s Under-23 cricket team, but failed to initiate appropriate action.
The allegations were reportedly directed at the team’s head coach and team manager, both of whom had earlier appeared before the commission as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, MSCW chairperson Iamonlang Syiem said the commission would refrain from making comments until completion of the inquiry process.
“We will have the hearing on this case on May 26. Maybe, after the hearing, I can comment,” she said.
Sources alleged that the women players had earlier approached MCA office-bearers regarding their grievances, but no action was taken on their complaints.
According to the sources, the team manager had allegedly called members of the women’s cricket team to his room and forced them to consume alcohol. It was also alleged that inappropriate remarks were made against the players during practice sessions, which reportedly caused them mental distress.
The commission observed that the MCA did not initiate any internal inquiry after the complaints surfaced, and neither of the accused officials was reportedly suspended or removed from their positions.
In letters issued on May 14 to the officials concerned, the commission stated that complaints had been registered before the MSCW, alleging that they failed to respond appropriately despite being aware of the allegations.
“…the Commission has taken cognisance of the matter in exercise of its powers and functions under the Meghalaya State Commission for Women Act, 2005,” the notice stated.
The commission further directed the officials to produce all relevant records, internal correspondence, reports, complaints, and other documents connected to the matter during their appearance. When contacted, the MCA secretary claimed that according to the records available to him, a complaint was lodged on December 3, 2025, during the period when elections to the MCA were underway, and a new executive body was being constituted.
According to him, the complaint involved allegations that the team manager had made uncomfortable remarks about a woman cricketer.
He said the newly elected MCA body, headed by president James P.K. Sangma, has held only one Apex Council meeting so far, and the complaint was not included in the agenda for discussion.
Kharkamni also stated that the MCA had no official record of a second complaint, allegedly signed by 15 women cricketers regarding incidents that reportedly occurred during a cricket tournament in Agartala.
“According to the information available to us, the 15 players claimed that they had sent a complaint through email regarding the incident, but we do not have any official record of receiving it,” he said.
The MCA secretary further claimed that following the December 3 complaint, the team was removed from duty for the NECDC Under-23 Women’s Cricket Tournament held in Sikkim in April, pending inquiry.
However, he said he was later surprised to find that the same manager was included in another list of officials issued by the MCA president separately for the Sikkim tournament.
Kharkamni stated that he had initially appointed Baia Mylliemngap as team manager in the list to accompany the team to Sikkim.
He also assured that the MCA would fully cooperate with the women’s commission to ascertain the truth and ensure that those found involved in such acts are punished.
The former MCA president, however, could not be contacted for comment despite several attempts.
