Shillong, Nov 5: Agatha Sangma took over as the chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR), on Tuesday.
Though her appointment was effected on September 6 this year, she could not join duty due to adverse health condition.
Speaking to media persons, the former Tura MP said, “Of course the appointment had taken place a few months ago but I was unwell and therefore, today I have officially joined and I am very excited because I realised there is so much to be done.”
Agatha met social welfare minister Paul Lyngdoh after assuming office.
“This morning I went to my office and met with the former chairperson and the entire team and there is so much work that has already been done by the commission and it is very commendable. I just hope that somehow I will be able to add some value and something good to the commission and I really look forward to it,” she added.
When asked about Meghalaya witnessing rise in crimes against children, the chairperson emphasized the need to work closely with the community in order to provide a safer place for children to live in.
“Like you very rightly pointed out is something earlier was never talked about, never came out in the open but now there are more cases that have been reported and there is a lot and more awareness by families and also by the victims and there is lots of provisions to help victims to get justice and we are here to assist in that process. I really hope as a community we become more sensitized and we become a more holistic community. It is not only about the work of the commission but you know how our communities, the families, the schools, the teachers and how everybody spreads awareness and work collectively. We are just a small part of it but we want to work collectively with the community in order to ensure our children have a safer place to live in,” she said.
She expressed concern over the delay in fast tracking POCSO cases.
Sangma said, “We have to work on this and it is not only about Meghalaya but the entire country, the POCSO cases are not very fast tracked.”
“There are fast track courts but you see because there is the death penalty, it takes a lifetime for sentencing to happen. So it is not something just Meghalaya is facing but it is all over the country and therefore, we have to work in coordination with the minister so I am here to talk to him today and call on him and take it forward,” she said.
Nepotism downplayed
Downplaying the allegation of nepotism behind her appointment, Agatha said, “See I have no comment on that either because whatever you do there will always be criticism. Honestly, I am here to show my work and hopefully in the coming time, my work will speak for itself. I am extremely excited to be in this position where I can work for children because this is something I don’t think it’s something that is necessarily about nepotism but I personally feel I have always had a very soft corner for children and they are my favourite people in the world and I am very excited to work. So let people say whatever.I am just happy that I have been given this opportunity and I really look forward to be working with you as well as we can’t work in silo when it comes to safety and security of children, we have to work together, we are on the same side which is on the side of the children,” she added.
