Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 406/16

FELICITATION PROGRAMME HELD

A programme for felicitation of sports achievers in the National and Regional Tournament was held today at Indoor Sports Complex, J. N. Stadium, Polo Ground, Shillong. The programme was organised by the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya. Meghalaya Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs, Shri Zenith M. Sangma graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Congratulating Smti Dolyne Kharbhih, the third person from Meghalaya and the second woman who successfully summit the Mt. Everest in May last, Shri Sangma said that in order to achieve such a feat, one must be prepared both mentally and physically. “Only a sports person knows how difficult the tournament is”, he added. He also said that proper guidance, counselling and maintaining discipline is not only needed in the field of sports and games but it is also a must for everyone for the overall development of personality to excel in any field. He urged upon the sports persons to strive forward with dedication and determination to achieve the pinnacle of success. During the felicitation programme, Shri Sangma handed over a citation and a cash award of Rs. 2 lakh to Smti Dolyne Kharbhih and also released a Coffee Table Book – “12th South Asian Games, 2016”. A total of 131 athletes from 10 sports disciplines namely, Athletics, Boxing, Kick Boxing, Rock Climbing & Mountaineering, Wushu, Taekwondo, Judo, Football, Table Tennis and Karate were felicitated during the programme. Shri F. R. Kharkongor, Commissioner & Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs, Shri John F. Kharshiing, Working President, MSOA and other officials were also present at the felicitation programme.

Press Release No. 407/16

POLICE ISSUES ADVISORY ON KIDNAPPING AND TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Public is aware that some cases of alleged trafficking of children and women have come to notice in the recent days. This is a worldwide menace and involves unscrupulous criminals and criminal gangs. Number of NGOs, civil society organisations and individuals are doing a lot of creditable work to combat this menace. Various government agencies including police are also contributing to nab these criminals. There is however a need to coordinate efforts of all the stakeholders like NGOs, society, government, police organisation, educational institutions, traditional institutions, etc. The Police Department, through the office of the Additional Director General of Police, CID, Meghalaya, has issued the following guidelines as advisory in the light of experience gained, to counter this menace collectively in an effective manner. The police have advised the public that if any member of a family goes missing, the family should report to the police immediately. Many times people spend 2-3 days conducting search themselves due to which precious time is lost. While search by members of family, friends and relatives is important, at the same time police should be informed without loss of precious time. Families should keep track of movements of children and young boys and girls in groups or individually for educational purpose or employment outside the State. If there is anything suspicious, it should be reported to police for verification/enquiry, etc. Families should also encourage setting up of self help groups amongst children specially girls from our cities studying in institutions outside and staying in private boarding schools/hostels etc. Public should report if any suspicious activities are noticed in any house/lodges/guest houses within their locality. Localities should keep a watch when a citizen seems to start having a lavish lifestyle out of tune with his/her recent financial position to detect early warning signals of suspicious and undesirable activities. People should report immediately to the nearest police station when they notice any unaccompanied child wandering in the streets.

People commuting in public transport should alert the police if they see unaccompanied children travelling at odd hours in suspicious circumstances. People may alert the police, if they notice any unwilling minor specially girls being taken by an adult forcibly against their wishes. The operators/drivers of tourist taxis and buses should question and if required, hand over any child found travelling along or unaccompanied by an adult to the nearest police station, if they find circumstances suspicious. Any suspicious activity by any adult passenger accompanying a young girl/child should be reported to the nearest police station. Drivers may also be encouraged to report at any police unit on the highways when they feel they have suspicious elements travelling in their vehicles. The police also issued advisory to educational institutions that a specific age/class limit of students may be set for allowing children to leave the institution premises by themselves unaccompanied. Schools/colleges should report of any drop out or continuous absence of a student without any information from the parents and take up the matter with parents/guardians of students who are not coming to school regularly. College/schools should take up programmes to create awareness amongst teachers and students regarding kidnapping and trafficking of children, etc. Any lifestyle change or behaviour change of the student noticed by teachers may be discussed with parents.

Underlining the significant role of NGOs, the police advised these organisations to take up programmes and projects to make the parents and target group i.e. women and children aware of being deceived and trafficked. Modus operandi used by traffickers to influence young minds by way of allurements, inducements, coercion etc can be vividly described to give them meaningful insights. NGOs may act at watch groups on the suspicious activities of various agencies and groups including those advertising jobs outside Meghalaya, and identify them and share the information confidentially with the police for necessary follow up. As an important vehicle through which factual information can be obtained, exchanged and disseminated, media can play the effective role in sensitizing the public about the problems of trafficking of women and children through specialised reporting and coordination with police and NGOs. Random use of archive photographs and video images to illustrate a story may be avoided to protect the privacy of individuals, victims and families. Due care and caution needs to be exercised while interviewing victims/families and sharing such information in public domain to avoid accentuating trauma of such victims/families. While reporting cases of crime against women/children, details of alleged perpetrators must not get published prematurely, when the case is still in active investigation. For any assistance, help or reporting of above mentioned suspicious activities, the public can contact through mobile, email, etc. to the SSP CID (Coordinator) at 9863021516 or email at ahtu.meghalaya@gmail.com. Incharge Anti-Human Trafficking Units at Shillong, Jowai and Tura can be contacted in their mobiles at 9856822988 in Shillong, 9863082268 in Jowai and 9436160171 in Tura. The District SPs and nearest police stations/units can be contacted to report such activities.