The Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress has urged Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to implement a state-wide ban on pornographic websites, to curb rising crimes against children.
Mahila Congress President Joplin Scott Shylla cited a sharp rise in sexual offences involving minors. “It is a disturbing trend that has shaken the conscience of our society, and we believe urgent intervention is required at the policy level to address one of its root causes,” she said in a letter to the Chief Minister.
She said there is growing evidence and public concern that the easy accessibility of pornographic content online is adversely impacting the minds of impressionable youth, leading to deviant behaviour and, tragically, contributing to heinous acts such as rape and sexual assault against minors.
Shylla asked the Chief Minister to take decisive steps, including blocking adult websites across Meghalaya, strengthen cyber surveillance, and introducing tighter controls on internet content. She also proposed that the state coordinate with internet service providers and law enforcement to ensure compliance with the ban and awareness campaigns in schools and local communities, focusing on digital safety, respect and the legal and ethical consequences of online exploitation and sexual violence.
The party stressed that these actions are crucial to protecting children and fostering a safer digital environment for Meghalaya’s youth.
