https://youtu.be/l8d8xBMsnS8?si=DrhWec14f_EC403-
Shillong: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who oversees the Home Department, provided valuable insights regarding the surge in crime rates in the East Khasi Hills District from 2020 to 2023, totaling 5,196 cases.
Out of the 5,196 cases, the Deputy CM informed that 2821 cases are crime related to Women that have been registered, wherein, only 84 cases have been prosecuted by the Court.
Tynsong highlighted the government’s proactive efforts to combat crime within the state. Special initiatives aimed at addressing crimes against women include the establishment of women’s police stations in 11 district headquarters, the implementation of One Stop Crisis Centers designed to offer comprehensive services to women affected by violence. These services encompass police support, legal counseling, psychosocial counseling, medical assistance, and temporary shelter, all available in 11 districts across the state. Tynsong also outlined various other measures undertaken by the government to tackle this issue.
The Home Department Minister’s response came in response to a question raised by Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem during the Autumn Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. Syiem expressed concern over the alarming increase in cases of crimes against women and children.
Measures taken to tackle crimes against women:
1. Women Police Stations have been set up in 11 (eleven) District Headquarters of the State.
2. One-Stop Crisis Centres for providing services for violence-affected police including police facilitation, legal counselling, sycho-social medical, medical aid, and temporary shelter have been set up in 11 (eleven) districts of the state.
3. Women Help Desk to facilitate crime reported by women and children has also been set up in various police stations across the (CSU),.
4. Crime Scene Unit (CSU) comprising of experts from the State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the Finger Print Bureau (FPB), has also been constituted to assist the Investigating Officer, especially in cases relating to Crime against women and children.
5. Dial 112, the National Emergency Response System (NERS), which deals with receiving distress calls, has been set up.
6. An app for women’s safety known as Meg-Cop-Watch has also been launched in East Khasi Hills District.
7. Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTU) have also been constituted in 11 (eleven) districts to rescue victims of human trafficking.
8. Community Liaison Group (CLG) has also been constituted at the crimes level for awareness on POCSO and Crimes against women cases.
9. Special juvenile Police Units have been set up in all District Headquarters.
10. Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Organisation of Meghalaya Police has formed an Expert Panel for monitoring crimes against women and children.
B. To tackle the issue of drug menace, the following steps are taken:
1. Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has been set up in all the Districts of Meghalaya for checking and preventing Drug Trafficking within the State. The help and support of the local Dorbars/Communities/NGOs is sought to strengthen vigilance in the vulnerable areas prone to drug menace.
2. Awareness campaign against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking through various Social Media handles of Meghalaya Police as well as the District Social Media handles is being carried out. Under the “Nasha Mukt Bharat Pakhwada” a total of 1263 awareness programmes were held in the year 2023 in the State.
3. Meghalaya Police has acquired 4 (four) numbers of Narcotic Sniffer Dogs posted at Dog Squad K-9 Unit, Shillong.
4. District ANTFs and the Narcotic K-9 Unit are conducting regular surprise checking of vehicles along the National Highway as well as in cities and towns and suspected places to prevent Illicit Trafficking of drugs.
5. Training programs on Drug Law Enforcement for the Officers of Meghalaya Police (ANTF and the District Police) are being held every year at Police Training School (PTS) and CID Headquarter, Shillong for capacity building.
6. The Government has invoked the provisions of The Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, 1988 for detention of habitual traffickers of NDPS in the State and Advisory Board under this Act was notified accordingly.
