MSCW asks MCA to expedite action on sexual harassment case, ensure safety of women players

SHILLONG, JUL 2: The Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) has found violations of the POSH Act by two officials of the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) following complaints from the Under-23 women’s cricket team, and recommended suspension for the head coach and dismissal of the assistant manager.

MSCW Chairperson Iamon Syiem said the Commission received the complaint on May 4, 2026 from “a number of” team members who named four officials and two main respondents.

“We believe and have now proven” that the two main respondents “violated the POSH Act,” Syiem told reporters on Wednesday.

The Commission held its first hearing on May 21, calling the head coach and assistant manager of the women’s team.

“We feel we gave them a very fair hearing. We heard their side of the story and called them individually,” Syiem said.

“They confronted each other. The girls said what they had to say, and the respondents said what they had to say.”

Based on the hearings, the MSCW concluded that both officials had violated the POSH Act.

“For the head coach, the recommendation was suspension for a couple of months. But in the case of the manager, the violations were more serious. So, we recommended his dismissal,” Syiem said.

She clarified that reports suggesting the head coach faced dismissal were incorrect.

“He was not recommended for dismissal, but suspension. The more serious allegation was against the assistant manager.”

Implementation of the orders, she added, rests with the MCA.

“Once we issue the orders, it is not up to us to carry them out. That is the domain of the MCA.”

A second hearing was held on May 26 after four other officials — the president, secretary, treasurer, and operations manager — were named in the complaints for non-compliance.

“They received mail on December 2 and 3 but did not act on it, and it was almost five months before it came to the Commission. You can see there is a huge lapse,” Syiem said.

The officials cited ongoing elections and a court case for the delay. The former president said he “did not come regularly to office during the election period, so he did not read the mail.”

“Five months is not acceptable. It is too long. A lot of things can happen. A lot more violations can take place, and someone might be harmed,” Syiem said.

She noted that the four officials “did not commit the sexual offence” but said the issue was a “constitutional, institutional lack of moral responsibility.”

The operations manager, she added, “did read the email and he did his duty.

He informed the secretary and the treasurer.” Of the 15-member squad, six players filed complaints of sexual violation, Syiem said.

“We have to look at the best interests of the young girls. Diverting this to anything else is very sad. It is the moral responsibility of each one of us to protect our women and our children,” she said.

“How sad that it has happened in our own state, being a matrilineal state. Somehow I feel there is a diversion now where we are not standing up for the rights and justice that these girls should get,” Syiem said, adding that “some of them need counseling.” The MSCW has given the current MCA body 30 days to act on its recommendations.

“If within 30 days and 60 days, as per our order, the current body does not act on the recommendations and directions of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women, then we can revisit that,” she said.

“We said that stricter action will be taken. Please give us that time.” Syiem said the Commission acted swiftly, issuing orders by June 5 after receiving the complaint in May.

“Everything is a process. We have taken cognizance of this, and we have acted on the complaint step by step.” An inspection by the Commission on May 22 found infrastructure gaps at MCA facilities.

“We found many issues — the lack of lockers. Many girls said they don’t feel safe leaving their belongings,” Syiem said. “There is no space, no privacy for the girls to change. Changing rooms should be there.”

She also flagged the absence of a nutritionist. “There is no nutritionist to see what kind of food they are having. I believe they just get it from some restaurants. This should also be dealt with because it affects the women’s health.” “The cricketers were satisfied. They were so happy to meet with us and tell us they have been heard,” Syiem said.

“Our appeal to the present president now is to expedite the whole matter,” she added.

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