Agatha takes over as new SCPCR chairperson, emphasizes need to work closely with community to provide a safer place for children

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 6, 2024

Former Tura MP Agatha K Sangma on Tuesday took over as the new chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) and pledged to work for the safety and security of the children in the state.

Sangma also paid a courtesy call on the minister in-charge social welfare Paul Lyngdoh after joining office.

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.”

“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 stated.

On Meghalaya witnessing rise in the crimes against children, the new 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.

Expressing concern over 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 track.”

“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 added.

Refusing to comment on the allegation of nepotism behind her appointment, the former Tura MP 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.”

Stating that she’s excited to work for the cause of the children in the state, Sangma said, “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 further expressed.