SHILLONG, Dec 29: Matrilineal Meghalaya today witnessed women folks taking to the streets their mourning over the death of the Delhi gang-rape victim even as they demanded justice and safety to women community in the state and the country in particular.
\nWomen and social activists also observed a candle-light vigil at the famous Don Bosco Square in Shillong before taking out a silent procession.
\nBesides, the candle-light vigil was also staged in solidarity with a young girl, who was the victim of a gang-rape at Williamnagar in the Garo Hills of the state recently.
\nStating that the system has failed women community, the women in their placards demanded that \u201cimmediate session of parliament to make strong rape laws\u201d besiThaThnks a lotdes \u201cmedical report be immediately be given to rape victims or their immediate family\u201d and speedy justice for rape victims.
\nTaking part in the vigil mourning the death of the victim was young Emie Sunn, a 10 year old boy who demanded that those who committed crimes against women should be hanged.
\nHis demand rooted to the popular demand aired on TV by protesters in Delhi and out of frustration as his parents were glued to the news channel all the time with the news of the gang-rape victim, denying him his cartoon programs.
\nNGO leaders, feminists, housewives vehemently demanded stringent rules be put in place to deter an offender from committing such crimes in the future.
\nMeanwhile, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who also condoled her death, said a thorough look into the system to address the menace is the need of the hour.
\n\u201cA thorough look at the prevailing system to address this menace is the need of the hour, he said adding that a comprehensive action plan is required which should involve the government and the people as any change that we want can only take place when the people themselves involve in the process.
\nWhile admitting that crimes against women in matrilineal-Meghalaya is also sky rocketing, Mukul said, \u201cThis problem is serious and we all need to concertedly strive towards a permanent solution.\u201d
\nGovernor R S Mooshahary had on the other hand rued that despite the improvement in the literacy rate (66 – 67 per cent), the society continue to face \u201cdeteriorating\u201d moral character which resulted in \u201cbulging crime rate\u201d against women, humanity and property.
\nWhile pleading for a moral-based education, Mooshahary had said that unless we are able to build up people of good character, \u201cno matter how high the literacy rate gets, it will be of no use.\u201d
\nAn Assembly committee report on the crime against women pending investigation until December 31 last year was at 696 which include 337 rape cases, 135 kidnap and abduction cases of women and girls, 127 molestation and 18 sexual harassment cases.<\/p>\n\n