Shillong: In a bid to tackle the rising incidents of crimes against women and children in Shillong, the Meghalaya government has launched a comprehensive safety initiative, installing CCTV cameras across 47 localities in the state capital.
The surveillance network will be linked to the Integrated Command and Control Centre constructed as part of the Shillong Smart City project.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced the decision on Thursday after an extensive meeting with representatives from NGOs, faith-based organisations, and Dorbar Shnongs to gather suggestions for enhancing the safety and security of women and children.
“We are strengthening our surveillance infrastructure, and community involvement will be key in building a safer Shillong,” Sangma said.
As part of the first phase, CCTV systems are already operational in seven areas.
The chief minister said the remaining 40 localities will be covered within the next two months.
Plans are also underway to establish sub-command centres in each locality, he added.
The Rangbah Shnong and Dorbar will have access to these sub-centres, which will be linked to the Integrated Command and Control Centre in the second phase.
During the meeting, stakeholders also urged the state government to enhance street lighting throughout the city.
While Chief Minister Sangma acknowledged a recent dip in crime statistics, he expressed concern over disturbing new cases and urged communities to stay alert.
He also cautioned citizens against reacting to unverified content circulating on platforms like YouTube and WhatsApp, warning that misinformation could spark unnecessary public unrest.
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Emphasizing the importance of collaboration between local institutions and the government, he stated that the community must be more engaged in social awareness programs, and parents should educate their children about understanding appropriate and inappropriate touch.
He reiterated that long-term solutions lie in combining technology, community awareness, and responsive governance.
