Two disturbing incidents in Meghalaya in recent days have once again cast a harsh spotlight on rising crimes against women and children, raising concerns over safety in matrilineal Meghalaya .
On June 30, a brutal murder stunned residents of Pyndengumiong in Mairang, Eastern West Khasi Hills, when 25-year-old Roberto Marngar of Shyiap Mawnai allegedly slit the throat of his former girlfriend in broad daylight in a public parking lot. The audacity and cruelty of the act, committed in front of passersby, have shocked the community.
In a separate incident, a 15-year-old girl became pregnant after allegedly being raped multiple times by her 38-year-old stepfather. The stepfather has since been arrested.
Reacting to these incidents, Law Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, who is the only woman in the Meghalaya cabinet, underscored the urgent need for systemic and societal reforms. Speaking to reporters, she said, “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.”
Lyngdoh attended the funeral of the murdered woman in Mairang and said the incident was a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities women face. However, she attributed the apparent surge in reported crimes to increased awareness and greater media and community involvement. “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.
The minister highlighted the role of families in preventing such crimes, especially those that happen within homes. “When a stepfather rapes his stepdaughter, it is not just a legal issue, it’s a breakdown of the family unit. We need to empower families to have open discussions and equip women and children with knowledge about their rights,” Lyngdoh said.
She praised the swift action taken by police in the recent cases and expressed confidence in the leadership of the newly appointed woman Director General of Police (DGP). “The police are responsive, but we cannot rely solely on them. Community participation is key,” she stated.
On the reluctance of families to report domestic violence or sexual assault, Lyngdoh acknowledged the challenges social workers face. “Even 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.
She also raised concerns about deeper societal issues such as anger management and the lack of institutional redressal systems. “When violence happens within the home, we need to ask what is the root cause? Is it anger management? Do we have systems in place to address this? Right now we don’t. But we are working on community-driven mechanisms, including alternative punishments and mandatory counseling,” she revealed.
The cabinet, she added, is reviewing legal reforms to strengthen protection mechanisms for women and children and there is a government commitment to expand the number of women’s police stations in the state.
Meanwhile, Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh also expressed grave concern over the recent incidents. He stated, “It is a disturbing trend, but we will leave no stone unturned to bring these perpetrators to book.”
He further added, “I am happy that the various commissions and committees under the department are functioning well and we have committed and capable leaders heading them. Together, we will strengthen our mechanisms and ensure justice and protection for every vulnerable individual in the state.”
