Ex-Tura MP pledges to work for safety and security of children
Shillong, Nov 6: Former MP Agatha K Sangma, who took over as chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) on Tuesday, pledged to work for safety and security of children in the state.
“We want to work collectively with the community in order to ensure our children have a safer place to live in,” she said after paying a courtesy visit to social welfare minister Paul Lyngdoh.
On the delay in taking charge, she said, “Of course the appointment had taken place a few months ago, but I was unwell…”
Terming the work done so far by SCPCR as “very commendable”, she expressed the hope to “add some value” to the Commission.
Attributing the rising crimes against children to more awareness among other things, the SCPCR chairperson said, “Now there are more cases that have been reported… and more awareness of families and victims … lots of provisions to help victims to get justice and we are here to assist in that process.”
Expressing concern over delay in POCSO cases, Sangma said, “We have to work on this and it is not only about Meghalaya but the entire country, POCSO cases are not very fast tracked.”
Refusing to comment on the allegation of nepotism behind her appointment, the former Tura MP said, “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 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,” she said.
“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.
