An Assembly Committee on Women Empowerment has decided to summon the East Jaiñtia Hills district administration on November 26 in connection with the brutal attack of social activist, Agnes Kharshiing and her aide, Amita Sangma.
Agnes and Amita were attacked by more than 30 goons at Sohshrieh village in East Jaiñtia Hills district on November 8 after they lodged a complaint against illegal mining and transportation of coal.
Chairperson of the Assembly Committee, Ampareen Lyngdoh told reporters that the committee discussed issues related to security and empowerment of women which include implementation of scheme under the Chief Minister Social Assistance Programme and healthcare.
Mawsynram MLA, Himalaya Shangpliang, who is also the member of the committee, said that benefits meant for single mothers as well as persons with disabilities under the Chief Minister Social Assistance Programme have not been disbursed to the beneficiaries though the fund meant for the scheme has been approved in the form of supplementary demand by the State Assembly in the last Autumn Session.
Shangpliang said the benefits have not been disbursed since April 2017 till date.
The Committee will also call a meeting with officials of the Social Welfare department to find out the status of various welfare schemes meant for women.
The committee will also take up with the health department to find out its interventions to improve healthcare services for women and steps to reduce infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate, besides providing ambulance services.
Shangpliang said that it is a matter of concern that a number of incidents were reported where mothers gave birth in ambulance on the way to hospital.
On the attack on Agnes and Amita, Shangpliang said that the SP and DC of East Jaiñtia Hills district should appear before the committee on November 26 and explain the status and circumstances that led to the attack.
On the same day, a delegation of the Committee will also meet the State Commission for Women as the Commission also played a role on protection of women.
The Commission will also ask the Commission to submit a report to the Committee its study conducted a few years back on single mothers in the state.
On comments by certain individuals on social media, praising the attack allegedly by mining mafias, Lyngdoh said that the police department would be asked to explain if a system has been in place to monitor and take action against such unwanted comments especially praising perpetrators who attacked the two women.
