SHILLONG:
Umroi MLA George B Lyngdoh has stressed on the need for convergence of efforts of the Home department and the Social Welfare department.
Speaking during the Question Hour in the state assembly on Wednesday, he cited the number of cases of crime against women and children to back his assertion.
According to Lyngdoh the victims run from pillar to post looking for psychological support and also for legal aid.
“Is there any effort to bring these efforts together so that the victims can at least have immediate access to the Social Welfare department and its support services to ensure that they are supported in a proper manner, especially the families for legal aid,” Lyngdoh asked.
Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, in his reply, said the government is providing help wherever it is needed.
Earlier, the Home minister replied that in September 2018, the government had sanctioned 11 women police stations in 11 districts of the state which are functioning except for Eastern West Khasi Hills district.
He also said the state has only 12 women police inspectors, which is sufficient.
East Shillong MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh said that 12 women inspectors are insufficient for the state.
“These inspectors are women and they also require personal time, particularly maternity leave which the government is recommending for six months,” Lyngdoh said.
However, Rymbui said, “as of now we are sufficient”.
“Besides this (12 Inspectors) to assist them we have 92 sub-inspectors,” the he told the House.
Rymbui informed the House that the sanctioned strength of the women police stations in the state is Inspector (unarmed) one, Sub-Inspector (unarmed) two, head constable (unarmed) three, constable six, driver one, and Group D one.
Nongpoh legislator Mayralborn Syiem said that the strength of personnel in the women police stations is very less and the districts’ areas are very large and considerable crime against women and children is happening.
Syiem pointed out that in Ri Bhoi district alone 86 cases have been registered in the last one year.
He wanted the department to increase the strength of the personnel so that they can curb crimes against women and children.
The Nongpoh legislator informed that the women police station in Nongpoh is running from a temporary building and it needs a proper one so that the facility can function properly.