700 rape cases reported in Meghalaya, alarmed UDP seeks action

Source:- timesnow.tv

With more than 700 rape cases being reported since 2013 in Meghalaya, the opposition party United Democratic Party (UDP) on Tuesday said that rise in crime against women could impact the state’s image and affect the state’s economy.

“How do we sell Meghalaya as a brand outside with such reports of rape in the state?” said UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh while moving a special motion on the issue in the Assembly.

“Delhi has been hit since foreign countries have issued advisory to travellers. I don’t want Shillong to figure in such an advisory,” he added.

The staggering number of rape cases has created a deep sense of insecurity among women and parents.

“This year from January 1 to February 23, a total of 23 rape cases were reported. It has become a daily affair,” he said.

He also pointed out the incident of arrest of a sitting legislator for allegedly raping a minor, in which, the name of the home minister HDR Lyngdoh has been dragged.

He also pointed out the former Governor’s alleged involvement in a case of misconduct towards women.

In his reply, home minister HDR Lyngdoh denied involvement of a guest house owned by his family in a sex racket involving a 14-year-old girl last year.

“It is not a fact that the rape committed by an MLA took place at the guest house,” Lyngdoh said amid the opposition demanding him to step down.

“Therefore it is very wrong to say that I should step down as I have done no wrong,” he said and assured that stern action will be taken against anybody who is found guilty even if they are his relatives.

Earlier, demanding that the home minister should step down, Hill State Peoples Democratic Party MLA, Ardent Basaiawmoit said that former governor V Shanmuganathan had resigned from his post after he was accused of turning the “Raj Bhavan into young ladies club”