Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 319/19

STATE LEVEL CONSULTATION ON TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN AND GIRLS

The Meghalaya State Commission for Women in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Meghalaya and the International Justice Mission, Kolkata today organised a One Day State Level Consultation on Human Trafficking of Women and Girls in Meghalaya at Yojana Bhawan Auditorium, Meghalaya Main Secretariat, Shillong. The Inaugural Session of the programme was attended by Meghalaya Minister for Social Welfare, Shri Kyrmen Shylla as Chief Guest in the presence of Chairperson, Meghalaya State Commission for Women, Smt Theilin Phanbuh, Chairperson, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Smt Meena Kharkongor, Commissioner& Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Shri T. Dkhar, officials of different government departments, NGOs, teachers, students and others. The Minister, during his address said that human trafficking results in victims facing mental and physical disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety while also stating that women victims are at higher risk of diseases such as HIV AIDS, Tuberculosis, etc The minister also said that the lack of employment opportunities in the formal sector leads individuals towards seeking employment in the informal sector where withholding of wages, debt bondage and various forms of physical and sexual abuse at the work place are common. He further added that the issue of human trafficking is a matter of great concern to the society where women, especially the economically disadvantaged and marginalised groups face an increased risk of exploitation. On occasion, the minister also sought the active involvement of all stakeholders including parents, teachers, NGOs, the police, etc calling upon them to be ever vigilant in order to ensure that the heinous crime of human trafficking is tackled more effectively.

During the programme, a documentary film entitled “In the Shadows- Voices of victims of Human Trafficking” filmed by the Department of Social Work, Women’s College, Shillong and produced by the Meghalaya State Commission for Women was released by the Chief Guest. The inaugural function was followed by a technical session on the topics, ‘Global and National insights on Human Trafficking’ and ‘Role of Police in Human Trafficking’ where Shri Saji Philip, Director of Operations, International Justice Mission, Kolkata and Shri Lakador Syiem, Superintendent of Police, West Jaintia Hills District were the resource persons. During the daylong programme, a panel discussion on the topic ‘How to prevent and tackle the problem of Human Trafficking’ was also held with Chairperson, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Smt Meena Kharkongor, Member Secretary, Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority, Shri N.A Khan, Director of Justice Solutions, International Justice Missions, Kolkata, Shri Saptarshi Biswas and Additional Director General of Police (Training And Placement, Law& Order, etc), Shri H. Nongpluh as panellists. The discussion was moderated by The Shillong Times Editor, Smt Patricia Mukhim.

Press Release No. 321/19

SECTION 144 CR.P.C IMPOSED IN EAST JAINTIA HILLS

In order to provide security and maintenance of law and order, to prevent serious injury to BSF personnel, to prevent illegal and undesirable activities on the International Border and to ensure maintenance of peace and tranquillity, the Additional District Magistrate, East Jaintia Hills District has promulgated an Order under Section 144 Cr.P.C prohibiting movement of cattle/ person on foot or in vehicle/carriage or in any other manner in areas falling under the border belt from 6 P.M to 6 A.M. Further, using of edged weapons, petrol bombs, crackers and lathi etc against BSF personnel and serious breach of peace besides annoyance/injury to BSF personnel and sneaking into the Indian Territory during night hours is strictly prohibited. This Order comes into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force until further orders. This Order was imposed after receiving reports that the International Border under East Jaintia Hills is prone to smuggling of cattle and contraband goods such as Betelnut, Dry Fish, Biri, Cigarette, Chai/ Patti etc. It has also been reported that smugglers and other anti-national elements gather in large numbers near the international border during night hours to smuggle aforesaid goods from India to Bangladesh. These anti social elements used sharp edged weapons, petrol bombs, crackers and lathi etc against BSF personnel causing physical harm to them.

Press Release No. 322/19

POWER INTERRUPTION DUE TO INCESSANT RAIN

Power supply in several areas of the State has been disrupted due to the damage of the electric lines and other infrastructure as a result of landslide, falling of trees and tree branches on the electric lines, etc on account of incessant rain and inclement weather. Sincere efforts are being made to restore power supply at the earliest, but due to reason beyond control, power supply in some areas could not be restored in time. In certain cases, restoration of the same requires interventions of other line Departments like Forest, PWD, etc. Therefore, the office of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) has requested the consumers and public at large to kindly bear and co-operate with the office while restoring the power supply. Moreover, parties which have put up hoardings/billboards near the electric lines are also requested to ensure that these hoardings/billboards do not cause any interruption to the electric lines to avoid interruption of the power supply and any untoward incidence. It is also requested that public take due care on account of snapped conductors if any, to avoid any harm and to also inform the MeECL offices in such an event.