Ramakanta Biswas

Bhubaneswar: The recent hooliganism in the busy market building area in the capital city has once again exposed the disturbing trend of involvement of minors in criminal activities.

So far 30 people have been identified for being involved in the violence at the market building on January 10 of which 22 have been nabbed. Among the arrested, 17 including the son of a DSP are minors. They have been sent to correctional home.

However, Gopi, Pritam and Chintu who are said to be the mastermind of the crime are playing hide and seek with the police as the cops are yet to nab them even two days after the incident. The three instigators have reportedly been engaging minor boys in executing crime in the city.

Speaking about the incident, police commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi said, “It is a matter of concern if children who are studying in Class 9 -10 or just entered college are engaged in such violence activities.”

Showing concerns over the trend, former police DG Sanjeev Marik said, “The criminals are influencing the mindset of youngsters and engaging them in the crime."

On the other hand, educationists have blamed guardians of students, punishment free zone in schools, rampant use of smartphones over spurt in juvenile crimes.

Senior educationist Niranjan Panda, said, “These days schools have become no punishment zone and home tasks are not mandatory for students. As they do not have any study related tension, some anti-socials make them easy target and engage them in various crimes.”

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