Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sept 19: East Khasi Hills district has registered over 5,196 cases of crimes during the past three years from 2020 to 2023.

This was informed by the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong while replying to a query raised by UDP Nongpoh legislator from Nongpoh Mayralborn Syiem in the Assembly today.

Syiem has sought assurance from the deputy chief minister on the need to fast-track the investigation and charge sheeting of pending cases.

He said there are over 2,821 cases of crimes have been registered in a span of 3 years out of which only 84 have been prosecuted so far.

In his reply, Tynsong admitted that it looks very discouraging as it takes a lot of time for cases to reach the stage of prosecution.

He however said the state police are going all out to complete the process of charge-sheeting and submit the same to the court for disposal of cases.

“I like to assure the House that the police and the government will not sit idle on this issue. We will pursue this matter and ensure procedure in the court will complete (at the earliest),” he added.

On the status of the forensic laboratory in the State, the deputy chief minister informed that the State government had recently created a separate directorate of forensics under the control of the Home department.

“Few proposals have been submitted for strengthening the functioning of this department and the government has already approved the proposal. We have also already acquired a few important instruments required to ensure pending cases are fast-tracked and tests no longer required to be sent outside the state (for speedy investigation),” he said.

Regarding the shortage of manpower in the police department, Tynsong informed that a meeting was recently held under the chairmanship of the chief minister Conrad K Sangma has decided to fill up the shortages faced by the SP office, police stations, women police stations, police outposts across the state.

“The DGP is working out the total requirement and once that is done, the government will accordingly create and sanction. I am sure a few months from now, we will be able to fill up those requirements right from the SP office level down to the outpost level,” he assured.

The Khasi Jaintia Church Leaders’ Forum (KJCLF) has expressed concern about the situation in Bihar where a Christian Pastor and a Church elder from Shillong had encountered some incidents of hostility and aggression which could have put them in grave danger.

“We initiated prayers and intercessions for their welfare and safety and are thankful that no harm has befallen on them as we also received information that they are returning back home,” Secretary of the Forum Rev Dr Edwin H Kharkongor said in a statement here.

He said the KJCLF denounces the perpetration of violence against the Christian Mission workers, and expresses its appreciation to those responsible in the administration of both the States for the efficient communication between them and sorting the situation out in proper manner.

Meanwhile, the Forum also appealed to social media users to restrain from spreading news which has the propensity to provoke unwanted reactions.

Moreover, in supporting the work and services of Churches and Christian Mission organisations, the Forum also called on all concerned to be aware of local prevailing situations while fulfilling their mission work in other parts of the country.

When two days ago Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited a Christian place of worship on Easter Sunday the Forum appealed to those in authority in the country to see that peace and harmony prevail in society.