Shillong, Aug 3: The state police’s IT cell is investigating into the lewd comment made by a Facebook user on social media against KHADC member from Umsning constituency, Macdalyn Sawkmie and for allegedly insulting her modesty.
The accused has not been arrested so far.
Sawkmie, who is an Executive Member in-charge Taxation, demanded from the concerned authority to immediately arrest the facebook user and lodged a complaint with the East Khasi Hills District Superintendent of Police, Claudia Lyngwa.
Macdalyn is the first time and lone People’s Democratic Front (PDF) member from Umsning constituency.
The matter was brought to her notice by fellow colleagues in the district council, who have received the screenshot of the indecent remark by a person against the woman member on a news item carrying her photograph and posted by a local news channel on Facebook.
The screenshot of the derogatory remark against the woman representative had also gone viral on Whatsapp.
Addressing media persons on Saturday, Macdalyn strongly condemned the person who made such lewd comment which has outraged her modesty and urged police to immediately take necessary action on her complaint and ensure the perpetrator is punished as per law.
Stating such characters are misusing the social media by resorting to obscene and indecent representation of women, the MDC said that she has decided to come forward and fight against such crime against women and girls. “I know many are victims of such crimes,†the MDC said.
She also appealed to women organizations and other NGOs to work together against attempts to make girls and women as soft targets on social media by making derogatory, sexist and indecent comments.
Her brother, Jason Sawkmie Mawlong, who is the PDF legislator from Umsning, said social media is powerful but freedom of speech and expression, if used without restraint and caution, could land people in deep trouble.
“People can judge us on our performances as public representatives but to make indecent remarks and derogatory comments on women is not at all acceptable. People should stop misusing social media as a medium to defame people as it could lead to irreparable damage,†the Umsning MLA said.
The MLA admitted that it is high time that authorities should come up with mechanisms to check and prevent people from misusing the social media platforms.