Surge in crime by youth raises concern

Recent incidents in Punjab reveal an alarming rise in serious crimes committed by teenagers and young adults aged 16-22. These individuals, often misguided and lured into criminal activities such as murders, snatching, and even terrorism, are posing a new challenge to law-enforcement.

The recent daylight murder of 23-year-old Karan in Patiala, in which five suspects, including a 16-year-old juvenile, were arrested, has highlighted the gravity of the situation. All the accused are school dropouts, with some having a history of criminal behaviour.

Karan’s murder was allegedly motivated by his text messages to the girlfriend of one of the accused. He was brutally assaulted and stabbed multiple times after being dragged off his motorcycle in a busy market area. The arrested individuals, aged between 16 and 20, showed no remorse for the crime, with reports suggesting they even celebrated after learning of Karan’s death.

The involvement of school dropouts in such heinous crimes has become a disturbing trend in Punjab. According to law enforcement officials, these youngsters are often drawn to crime due to the allure of easy money and peer recognition. One of the accused in Karan’s murder had previously been jailed twice and was involved in attempted murder cases, despite being only 21 years old.

Senior police officers express deep concern over the growing number of teenagers involved in serious crimes. A worrying trend has emerged, where young offenders show no remorse, and their time in jail only deepens their involvement in the criminal world. In recent years, over 15 teenagers below the age of 20 have been arrested for various crimes, indicating the rising threat posed by youth delinquency.

The root causes of this trend are multifaceted. Exposure to violence in popular media, such as songs and movies, along with easy access to drugs, has led many young people down a dangerous path. The lure of a criminal lifestyle is strong, and once these individuals become entangled in illegal activities, rehabilitation becomes increasingly difficult.

Recent high-profile cases

• In December 2022, the police arrested six persons, including two juveniles, involved in a RPG attack in Tarn Taran
• Another case from November 2022 saw three individuals in their early twenties participate in the murder of Dera Sacha Sauda follower Pardeep Singh
• In May 2022, a 17-year-old was arrested after firing an RPG at the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali

Need for urgent intervention

• A senior police official highlighted the need for urgent intervention, as many of these teenagers are misguided and exposed to a culture of violence and drugs
• Without proper guidance and support, these young people are at risk of becoming hardened criminals, perpetuating a cycle of violence that could have lasting consequences