SHILLONG: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has come down heavily on the East Khasi Hills district administration for what it termed as a “complete failure” to contain the alarming rise in crimes against children, some of whom are as young as four years old.
State BJP general secretary Wankitbok Pohshna said the administration has “failed to discharge its duties from every angle,” adding that despite several such incidents, no effective deterrent measures have been implemented.
“There is no visible increase in police presence, no regular patrolling, and no organised night vigil to prevent criminals from operating freely,” Pohshna stated. He stressed the need for round-the-clock monitoring at all entry and exit points in sensitive localities where such crimes are being reported.
The BJP leader urged the administration to collaborate with local dorbars and deploy Village Defence Parties (VDP) along with police personnel to strengthen security. He also called upon schools to enhance safety measures by involving volunteers to ensure the protection of children.
Pohshna criticised the administration for what he described as its selective activeness, saying, “It becomes active only during events like the Cherry Blossom Festival or football tournaments.” He further highlighted that late-night drinking inside parked cars remains a source of nuisance in many parts of Shillong, and urged stricter vigilance in areas known to be drug and crime hubs.
“The recent sequence of crimes against children is extremely serious and needs thorough investigation,” he added, calling on the government to engage experts and seek assistance from the Union Home Ministry to address the root causes. Pohshna also hinted at the possibility of organised crime being involved in some cases.
He concluded by asserting that the district administration must act without waiting for public pressure. “Officers responsible must exercise their powers effectively, and if they are unable to do so, the government should replace them with more efficient and responsible personnel,” he said.
