Shillong, July 12: In a strong and compassionate message, Law Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh reaffirmed the Meghalaya government’s commitment to strengthening protections for women and children, both through legal reforms and enhanced community involvement.
Speaking in the wake of recent incidents of gender-based violence, Lyngdoh announced that the state is actively reviewing amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and exploring ways to expand the network of women’s police stations across Meghalaya.
She emphasized that while policing is vital, real change must begin within families and communities. “We have to reach out to the community and the church. Responsibility must begin at the family level and grow to become a community concern. The church leadership must also be involved,” she said.
The minister, who attended the funeral of a woman murdered in Mairang, described the case as a tragic reminder of how vulnerable women remain — even in spaces that should be safe. “When a stepfather rapes his stepdaughter, it is not just a legal issue but a breakdown of the family unit,” she said, underlining the need for emotional, psychological, and social interventions alongside legal action.
Lyngdoh acknowledged that while recent crimes have shocked the public, they also reflect growing awareness and willingness to report such incidents. “These crimes may have occurred in the past but were swept under the rug. Today, reporting is improving thanks to greater awareness, but that means we must also strengthen our systems,” she added.
She praised the swift response of law enforcement and said she was hopeful that the leadership of a woman Director General of Police would enhance institutional sensitivity and responsiveness. “The police are responsive, but we cannot rely solely on them. Community participation is the key,” she stressed.
Addressing the reluctance many women and families still feel when it comes to reporting domestic violence or sexual abuse, Lyngdoh said stigma, social pressure, and mistrust of the system remain barriers. “Women themselves are often hesitant to file FIRs. There’s stigma, gossip, and the perception that the police may not act. This must change,” she said, calling for greater confidence in the system.
The minister also drew attention to the need for stronger mental health and counselling systems. “When violence happens within the home, we need to ask what the root cause is. Is it anger management? Do we have systems in place to address this? Right now, we don’t,” she said.
According to Lyngdoh, the government is working on community-led models that include mandatory counselling and alternative punishment methods for certain categories of offenders. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, she said, have fully supported ongoing efforts to improve institutional protections and build safer environments for women and children across the state.
“We cannot ignore this alarming reality. We must start teaching women to protect themselves and give them the tools and support they need. This has to happen at various levels — family, community, law enforcement, and policy,” Lyngdoh concluded.
