Meghalaya witnesses surge in crimes against women, raises concerns

Meghalaya is witnessing an alarming surge in crimes against women, prompting urgent calls for action. 

Concerns have been raised regarding the escalating cases of gender-based violence, which include domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination.  

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the state police, Ministers and social leaders have stressed on the need for a comprehensive approach encompassing legal, social, and cultural interventions to defend women’s safety, rights, and equality. 

Speaking to Northeast Live, Meghalaya Tourism Minister and UDP leader Paul Lyngdoh said, “This is a growing trend that can be attributed in large part to a change in citizens’ moral attitudes and overall outlook, particularly in light of the increasing abuse of social media platforms. There are several IT policies in place in the country, which is why people have free access to a variety of websites that actively encourage the trend of disrespecting women, abusing them, and physically assaulting them.” 

Only law will not going to be able to take care of this worrisome trend, there has to be sensitization at various levels, he added. 

SP East Khasi Hills, Rituraj Ravi said, “The state police will take the crimes against women and children with utmost seriousness. We ensure that depending on the nature of the crime, we will expeditiously investigate the cases and make sure that the perpetrators are given punishment and victims are given justice as quickly as possible.” 

Referring to the gang-rape of two minors at the annual Chenga Benga Mela in the South West Garo Hills (SWGH) district on April 16, 2024, Ananda Koch, Assistant General Secretary of the Meghalaya Koch Association said that he on behalf of the entire minority tribal community strongly condemned the heinous crime.  

He urged the state Government and the Government of India to bring justice for the victims and to book the culprits at the earliest. 

It may be mentioned here that the state police on April 29, arrested nine individuals in connection with the alleged brutal gang-rape of the two minors. 

Meghalaya has recorded 58% of cases involving sexual offences, a revelation made at the launch of the “NEYI CHETNA 2.0” National Gender Campaign organised by Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS) last year in November at U Soso Tham Auditorium in the State Central Library.  

The menace of crimes against women and children continue to plague the state of Meghalaya.  

In 2022 alone the state recorded a staggering 690 cases of crimes against women, while 496 cases were against children.  

In 2020, the number of cases more than doubled to 606, while the number further ascended to 685 in 2021. 

In 2018 there were 287 cases of crime against women which increased to 293 in 2019.

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