By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 30: The state government on Saturday said it has taken serious note of alleged sexual harassment of women cricketers and assured zero tolerance for any form of misconduct involving women athletes.
Reacting to reports of alleged sexual assault and claims that former Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) officials failed to act on complaints, Sports Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said the government is committed to protecting women in sport. “We will ensure that such incidents do not happen, whether in cricket or any other sports association or anywhere else,” he told reporters.
Shylla, however, said the government would not intervene immediately because the incumbent MCA president, James P.K. Sangma, has already initiated steps to address the matter. He said an inquiry into the allegations is currently underway and that it would be inappropriate to comment further until the findings are made public. “There is already an inquiry pending in this case. Until and unless the inquiry report comes, I think it is not wise for me to give any comment on that,” he added.
The minister said the government will await the investigation’s outcome before taking any further action. “We are not very sure about the details of the case at this stage. We will wait for the report of the inquiry,” he said.
The allegations were earlier brought to the Meghalaya State Commission for Women after women cricketers accused certain former MCA office‑bearers of sexual harassment and alleged their grievances were ignored despite repeated representations. The commission has taken cognisance and sought clarification from the cricket body, also calling for a proper inquiry.
Pressure from sports bodies and civil society groups has kept the issue in the spotlight. Under its new leadership, the MCA has constituted an internal inquiry to examine the complaints and determine whether due process was followed when the grievances were first raised. The outcome of that inquiry is expected to guide any institutional reforms or disciplinary measures.
