Shillong, March 06: Meghalaya Assembly Speaker, Abu Taher Mondal on Monday disallowed an adjournment motion to discuss the rise in crimes against women and children in the State Assembly.

The adjournment motion was moved by opposition MLA from the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit.

Mondal said that though he had received the adjournment motion submitted by Basaiawmoit, he would not allow it to be taken since the issue related to crimes against women and children has been listed for discussion through a special motion brought by opposition MLA from the United Democratic Party (UDP), Paul Lyngdoh as well as amendments to the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address tabled by Leader of Opposition, Dr Donkupar Roy and opposition MLA from the National People’s Party (NPP), James K. Sangma.

However Basaiawmoit, while urging the Speaker to permit him to move the motion, said that it was an urgent need to discuss the issue in the House because crimes committed on women and children in the State were serious.

He said that the image of the State has also been tarnished due to the involvement of the political class.

“This is an important issue and I wanted to bring this adjournment motion to exhibit that members of the House do not endorse such crimes,” the Nongkrem MLA said.

He said that members of the House cannot condone such crimes which brought great shame to State.

“Even Raj Bhavan has turned into young ladies club as reported in the media. Therefore, if we take up this adjournment motion and discuss the issue, it reflects that we as members of the House are concerned of the issue,” he said.

UDP MLA, Paul Lyngdoh also agreed with the Speaker that the issue should be discussed through a special motion.

As the Speaker disallowed, Basaiawmoit could not raise the issue further in the House.