94% rise in crime involving juveniles

Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 12

Even as the Mehbooba Mufti-led government has announced amnesty to first-time stone throwers in Kashmir under its “healing touch” policy, the incidents of crime involving juveniles have witnessed a rise of 94 per cent in the state in the past three years.

The number of criminal cases involving juveniles (below 18 years) was 102 in 2014, but it went up to 198 in 2016, when the Valley witnessed a spiral of violence following the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.

At the beginning of 2016, the number of juveniles whose cases were pending was 122, while 319 were apprehended in the year. Of them, 315 were held for the first time, taking the total to 441. At least 272 juveniles apprehended in the year were either illiterate or matric pass.

This was revealed in a recently published report —Crime in India-2016 — of the National Crime Record Bureau.

“The percentage of juveniles held guilty was 84.7 per cent. As many as 253 were sent home after advice or admonition. There were 109 cases of rioting in 2016. Juveniles were involved in murder or attempt to murder cases in eight incidents,” the report said.

“At least 39 were released on probation and placed under the care of either their parents and guardians or childcare institutes. Only seven were sent to special homes, while fine was imposed on 10. As many as 56 were acquitted,” it said.

Radicalisation of youth, particularly juveniles, seems to be a major reason behind their growing involvement in crime and violence.

On November 29, Mehbooba had announced withdrawal of cases against 4,327 youngsters involved in 744 cases of law and order “following the recommendation of a high-powered committee headed by state Director General of Police SP Vaid”.