Meghalaya: the Abode of Crime against Women

In just two and a half months in 2017, Meghalaya has been in the national news for all the wrong reasons. Twenty five reported cases of rape and sexual assault in the state is something that we should all be ashamed of. And yet, our very own ‘honourable’ public representatives shamelessly compete to prove who is guiltier and who is not.

If our leaders are seriously concerned about women’s safety, they should have chastened the rapist even before a public uproar. The Dorphang rape and trafficking case which also has connections with the Home Minister Mr. H D R Lyngdoh’s family guest house, Marvelene’s Inn, raised a lot of unanswered questions. I would salute this brave young girl who came forward to report, otherwise such sexual assaults would have died its unsung death.

Much has been said about the recent incidents of molestation at the Raj Bhavan which is a misuse of public office. Unfortunately there are fringe elements that still want to defend this crook. If such conduct can come from the legislators and a constitutional head who supposedly knows the law, what else do we expect from ordinary citizens? The recent rape cases are more heinous with dead bodies of women after being raped lying abandoned on the road- this is blatantly cursing us as a society that has turned a blind eye to the torture that women in the state face. Waking up every day with such catastrophic news of rape and murder leaves us with the sense of guilt and rage for not being able to do anything about what is happening lately.

The circumstances of abuse, harassment, sexual assault, exploitation, discrimination in public offices are so common that no one ‘dares’ to complain against the perpetrators. It is too much to expect that whistle blower will come forward and report on the crimes against women being committed by these felons in the Secretariat, the Raj Bhavan and elsewhere. Institutional silence has done more harm than good. The recent case of harassment by the director of one government department is startling. How many times will the subservients bow down to these ‘Sahibs’?  The elitist attitudes of government servants need to be questioned seriously. I am sure each one of us does not want that crime in any form to top the chart in the state but silence in such instances is even more harmful and more destructive.

Crime against women in Meghalaya is not a non-issue anymore. Gang-rape happens almost every day and they don’t spare children and the aged- this is sickening. We have not even been able to digest the tragic rape and sexual assault that happened in the beginning of the year but the same case happened few days back which left us dumbfounded. In such a Khasi society of ‘Tip Briew Tip Blei'{literal: Know human, know God} who will think that such a thing would happen and regrettably it has become the order of the day. This is a matter of sheer ignominy in our society where female on one hand are considered to enjoy social status and are being celebrated over the years and on the other hands girls, notwithstanding their age, are just considered as objects to be violated. This has to be addressed massively by all quarters including the Church and other Religious Institutions. More than sympathies and solidarity the victims of sexual assaults be it at home, work places, public places instead are being blamed for being the reasons of why such heinous crime happen in the first place.

The Meghalaya budget session is going on, the debates on various aspects in the state is at its peak. Incidentally, it is ill-fated that the new Governor who we expected to bring forth the issue that sparked in the news on cases of crime against women, dejectedly remained mute in the address to the ‘August House’. His silence speaks volumes as to why Meghalaya is still lacking behind in terms of women safety. The need of the hour in the state is to bring forth the stern laws which can by any means thwart women from being victims of sexual assault; the unbiased Internal Complaint Committee and the Fast Tract Court are fundamental avenues through which speedy justice to the victims could be delivered more effectively. Also, these should be the top priority of the government. The smooth cooperation between the government functionaries, the court and the police department is indispensable in this regard. It is a welcome slant on the part of the opposition in the ‘August House’ by addressing the earth-shattering concern of crime against women. This shows the light of the day but will they do the same if they are in the government? I hope their approach does not have any hidden agenda. Nonetheless, it is inauspicious to see that the women legislators who also hold key portfolios in the government did not come forward to speak out even in the session of the house. I remember the Labour minister said ‘Silence does not amount to inaction’; from her statement it is well understood by now as to what it actually means. It clearly reflects the analogy of why the ruling party did not speak against the crime. I think at least in terms of crime against women, we should not turn it as another ‘political gimmick’.

While expecting much from the institution on the safety and security of women and children, it is also imperious that we as a citizens should outstandingly be more accountable in terms of such issues and if such cases happen we should not shy away from reporting to the authorities. The approach and discernment towards women should not be haunting them in whatsoever way. We should be more vigilant and understand the problems being faced by women across the state.