SHILLONG:
All India Trinamool Congress MLA, George Lyngdoh, expressed concern on the dismal figures in terms of the state’s security data as the state ranks third amongst the North Eastern states on crimes against women.
Raising a short duration discussion on the prevailing safety and security of the people in the state, he referred to the data from the National Crime Records Bureau wherein the incidents are recorded to be 558-2019, 568-2020, 685-2021.
He further went on to say that Meghalaya ranks second amongst the North Eastern states in terms of crimes against children and said that the number of cases is 2021 is 481, 379 cases in 2019, 2020 is 415 cases.
In terms of economic offences, the state is ranked 2nd highest among the North Eastern states. In 2018, there were 257, 2021 is 385 cases of economic offences.
Stating that none will be proud of such figures, Lyngdoh said, “It will be a collective endeavour to ensure that these crimes are kept in check and culprits are book as per law. We should see that cases are expedited across the state.”
Coal trucks
Lyngdoh turned his attention to coal trucks across the state in spite of a ban on transportation and said, “But then people are seeing that these trucks are turning turtle everywhere.”
He added, “People are questioning the involvement of these high levels and low levels. It has become household talk. It seems that youths are being encouraged to take part in this loot of the state’s exchequer. Can we be proud of this, sir?”
Infiltration
As for the threat of infiltration, Lyngdoh said that there are rumours of Rohingya being spotted in Shillong city.
“Is it true? Do we need to further go into such rumors so that at least people feel safe and secure?” he said.
The intelligence network needs to be strengthened considering the illegalities happening across the state, especially the dismal figures in terms of the state’s security of women and children and the threat of infiltration.
“The state security, sir, is a major concern,” he said.
Forensic lab needs to be functional
AITC MLA Himalaya Shangpliang expressed concern on the safety of women and children as well as the rise in Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Bill (POCSO) cases in the state.
He also said that there is a need to have a forensic lab which needs to be modernised and make it more functional.
“The forensic lab that we have in the state needs to be modernised and upgraded, because to chargesheet an accused they have to send the materials of evidence all the way to Hyderabad or Kolkata for that matter to the forensic lab,” he said.