Shillong, June 29: The state of Meghalaya has witnessed too many bitter incidents of gender violence in the last few years and more so in the last few months. For some reason, gender violence statistics have revealed that Meghalaya has come to the forefront among other northeastern states.
According to the information by Meghalaya Police, there have been 184 cases of violence against children and women from January till April this year, and behind those numbers are real people and their families. Such violent acts to the point of murder are disturbing the peace in society, which is a gloomy reality.
A sustainable concerted effort is the need of the hour to push for social-focused organizations including the government, social and community leaders to see that the existing justice mechanism is implemented.
As a response to arrest this social ill, Urban Mission, a Church Organisation of the KJP Synod Sepngi along with Shillong’s folk-fusion band Summersalt with the support of MarBa Hub, Batesi TV and RedFM will come together at MarBa Hub, Police Bazar on 30th June, 5pm to hold a roadshow called ‘Strike Down’as a sign to remind people of the need to condemn this criminal act and strengthen the stance against murder, rape or any sexual violence against children and women.
Alongside awareness through music – there will be an art installation by the city’s celebrated artist Careen J.Langstieh to reinforce the intent. The goal of the Road Show is to move beyond emotional response to sustaining the protest against cowardly acts of violence and to rise above petty interests and ethnic contexts and create a sense of urgency and utmost importance to collectively deal with this social menace that impacts the well being of the children and society at large.
The Road Show calls for all members of society both groups and individuals to rid of all differences and to stand up and put a lasting united front in strategically deal with issues of gender aggression. Said Mr Kit Shangpliang, Managing Member – Summersalt in the press statement issued to media houses today.
