Dalu (Meghalaya), February 17 (IANS): Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday hit out at Meghalaya Home Minister Horju Donkupar Roy Lyngdoh over the alleged gang-rape of a minor girl in his son's guest-house. Four people reportedly raped the 14-year-old girl at the Marvelene's Inn, the guest house run by Lyngdoh's son Nathaniel Osbert Rymmai. "The job of a Home Minister is to protect women and children, but in Meghalaya it is a reverse. It is sad and shocking that in Meghalaya, where women are held in high esteem, such an incident has taken place," she said, addressing an election rally here near the India-Bangladesh border. Irani was campaigning for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Kurosh R. Marak, who is contesting from Dalu constituency in West Garo Hills district. Marak is also a sitting member of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council. "Meghalaya has a unique culture and tradition and the confidence of women and children is fascinating. Our party believes in empowering women and we will be able to drive the agenda in Meghalaya to further their cause." Wooing the 9,29,314 women electorate to vote in favour of the BJP, Irani promised that if her party was voted to power, a dedicated women police force would be in place to ensure security of women. "The pride of women has to be restored and we will ensure that women in Meghalaya feel safe, secure and independent," she said. The BJP, which failed to win a single seat in the 2013 assembly elections, has fielded its candidates in 47 out of 60 seats. Elections in the state are due on February 27 and the counting March 3.
