Shillong: The Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) has revealed a concerning trend of increased POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) cases during the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022.
The report indicates that the East Khasi Hills district reported the highest number of cases, while South Garo Hills district had the lowest.
According to the MSCPCR report, there were a total of 2,566 registered POCSO cases, with 1,984 cases still pending in various district courts across Meghalaya. Despite the establishment of POCSO Courts, the disposal rate of cases remains low at 22.68%.
During the pandemic period, the number of cases peaked at 365 in 2020 and 378 in 2021. District-wise data showed that East Khasi Hills accounted for 28% of all POCSO cases in the state with 709 cases, whereas South Garo Hills had only 64 cases, representing 2% of the total.
Regarding convictions, Ri Bhoi District had the highest number with 50 convictions, followed by West Khasi Hills with 31, and East Khasi Hills with 30.
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However, South Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills recorded zero convictions. The report attributes this partly to the absence of a Special Public Prosecutor in South Garo Hills and highlights the lack of convictions despite the presence of a POCSO Court in South West Garo Hills since 2017.
In an effort to enhance public awareness and understanding of the POCSO Act 2012, the MSCPCR has released a translated version in Khasi, with plans to translate it into Garo as well.
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