SHILLONG: Adviser to the Social Welfare Department, Paul Lyngdoh, on Tuesday announced that the department has submitted a proposed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to address issues arising from the POCSO Act and the growing concern of premature marriages among minors.
Speaking at a consultative meeting on crimes against women and children, Lyngdoh said that the proposed SOP is currently under review by the Advocate General. “Once approved, the document will be circulated and submitted to the courts, particularly the Meghalaya High Court, where several related cases are pending,” he informed.
Lyngdoh noted that while child marriage has never been an institutionalised practice in Meghalaya, incidents of early marriages still occur in various parts of the state. “We have encountered several cases where girls as young as 13 or 14 have become mothers. When police intervene, local authorities often plead ignorance, claiming such practices have existed for generations,” he said, describing these as deep-rooted social issues that must be addressed through education and awareness.
He further stated that the government is using platforms like these consultations to disseminate information about key welfare initiatives, including 24×7 helplines for reporting crimes and a sanitary pad distribution programme aimed at reducing absenteeism among schoolgirls during menstruation.
The Adviser also underscored the importance of expanding awareness programmes beyond Shillong to rural areas, where cases of domestic violence and child rights violations are more prevalent. “Our Child Protection Officers, counsellors, and experts will visit villages to spread awareness and support communities,” he assured.
Lyngdoh also commended the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) for its dedicated work in combating drug trafficking and expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who have consistently supported the government’s initiatives for the protection of women and children over the past two and a half years.
