Meghalaya’s first female Director General of Police (DGP), Idashisha Nongrang, took charge today and one of her priorities will be to try and bring down the level of crimes against women, which have been rising despite increased efforts by the authorities.
During her first interaction with the media here today, Nongrang expressed concern on the upwards trend. “We have seen despite all the efforts that we’ve been making over the years, there has been no decline (in crimes against women and children). In fact there’s been an increase and while we have tried to reach out to various organisations, at various levels in the districts or at the thana level, we haven’t been able to have those kinds of results that we had been hoping for,” Nongrang said, adding that the problem needs a rethink and a reworking of approach.
Asked about being the first female DGP, Nongrang felt that being a woman is not a factor in her becoming police chief.
“The fact of the matter is I have put in more than 30 years of service,” she said. But, yes, as a female officer, as a woman, I feel very strongly that women have a very different perspective and I will try to use that perspective to ensure that women feel much safer and improve accessibility (between police and public), which I feel there is much room for improvement.”
Asked about the main reason for the rise in crime against women, the DGP said that the force is studying the matter as some districts are improving but others are not.
Citing an example, Nongrang recalled that at one point of time East Jaintia Hills was the main hotspot and then, surprisingly, it was West Khasi Hills. When they focused on West Khasi Hills a special team was constituted to look into crime against women and especially POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) cases it did show a lot of improvement but there was a failure in maintaining that momentum.
On other subjects, Nongrang acknowledged that the law and order situation in the state could be better. Asked on her approach towards the problem of drugs, which was a key focus during the two-year reign of her predecessor, Nongrang said that the drug menace is a concern that has been around for many years.
Over the course of her 30 years in the police, she has seen Shillong go from transit point to consumer of drugs. Despite the many seizures of contraband, there has been little in the way of a dent in supply.
On the stalled peace talks with the outlawed Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), Nongrang said that she could not comment much as it is a matter for the state government but she recalled that the state is ready for negotiations.
