In Shillong, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Prestone Tynsong urged that women should be able to move freely at night while calling for stronger coordination between families, communities and the government to curb rising criminal activity. The remarks came amid growing concerns over attacks and snatching incidents in the capital that have heightened worries about public safety, especially for women.
Tynsong said the state is “on the job” to address criminal activity but stressed that ensuring safety also requires citizen participation. He encouraged people who must travel late at night to inform relatives, neighbours or hosts of their movements, while clarifying that the government is not imposing restrictions on women’s freedom to walk.
He noted that police have identified and designated certain places for security, yet crimes can happen outside those areas and neither citizens nor police can predict where criminal activity may occur. The deputy chief minister stressed that close cooperation among individuals, families, communities and the government is essential to improve public safety.
Tynsong also defended frequent transfers of Superintendents of Police heading the Anti‑Narcotics Task Force, saying leadership changes would not affect the anti‑drug fight. He explained that transfers are based on officers’ functioning and requirements, not personal preference, and that the government will ensure continuity of the ANTF’s operations despite personnel changes.
