Meghalaya: MSCPCR chairperson urges creation of green spaces, SOP for children’s safety

CORRESPONDENT

Shillong: Chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR), Agatha K Sangma, has called on Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh to prioritize the development of green and recreational spaces for children. She also stressed the need to establish a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to regulate the movement of children to other states.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Sangma said, “I have met the Chief Minister and the Social Welfare Minister today to discuss the creation of more green and recreational spaces in our towns for children.”

She also highlighted the need for a comprehensive SOP during her meeting with the Social Welfare Minister, referencing a recent multi-departmental discussion involving officials from education, police, legal, and health sectors. According to her, the proposed SOP would require individuals and organizations to follow specific protocols when taking children out of the state.

“There has to be a proper SOP. Many times, children are taken out of the state without the government’s knowledge, and we only find out when something unfortunate happens,” she said. “We need to prevent such incidents by ensuring we are fully aware of where these children are, what kind of institutions they are being sent to, and whether those institutions — including hostels — are legally established.”

When asked about the progress of the proposal, Sangma said it is still at the recommendation stage. “The commission has proposed the SOP and we are taking input from various departments. I hope the government takes this forward. Once the SOP is in place, we can maintain a proper list of institutions that comply with it before relocating children.”

In addition to policy advocacy, the MSCPCR has been actively conducting sensitization programmes in schools, focusing on child rights, child sexual abuse, and domestic violence.

Citing a recent case, Sangma noted, “There was an instance where a mother refused to file an FIR because the perpetrator was a family member. In such cases, we need to take a stand. The commission and the police will intervene, and the family must cooperate. We need to remove the stigma attached to such incidents and treat affected children as survivors, not victims.” Expressing concern over increasing crimes against women and children, Sangma said the issue reflects a broader societal failure. She emphasized the need for collective responsibility, stating that families, teachers, and society at large must work together to ensure the safety and well-being of children.

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