India, Nov. 12 -- The Meghalaya social welfare department has finalised its proposed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to address early marriages and cases of violence against women and children.

The draft has been submitted to the state's advocate general for legal vetting before it is presented to the Meghalaya High Court and made public.

The SOPs, once cleared by the advocate general, are expected to provide a uniform framework for law enforcement, social workers, and local institutions in handling cases of early marriage and gender-based violence.

Adviser to the department Paul Lyngdoh said the SOPs aim to bridge the gap between traditional practices and existing laws such as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCS...