Between 2010 and 2021, there were 46 cases related to juvenile crimes in the capital, with one case currently in its final stages of the trial, according to DMP source
At present, 80 identified teen gangs, comprising a total of 339 members, have become reckless in different areas of the capital.
Senior-junior conflicts, heroism, misuse of technology, loosening of family ties, and faulty socialization are contributing significantly to the rise of crimes among teenagers.
Between 2010 and 2021, there were 46 cases related to juvenile crimes in the capital, with one case currently in its final stages of the trial, according to Dhaka Metropolitan Police sources.
The police are actively working to combat juvenile delinquency, but in order to be successful, the involvement of all members of society, including parents, is crucial.
Experts say that criminals are luring girls from low-income families into immoral activities by talking about making stars through various social media, including TikTok. Even these girls are being trafficked to different countries including India and the Middle East.
Uncontrolled use of various social media including TikTok, Likee, Imo, Facebook is also misleading teenagers.
According to the DMP officials, action against juvenile criminals was too complicated under the current Juvenile Act. Juvenile offenders are sent to juvenile correctional centres under the current law. Returning to normal life is still questionable. In some cases juvenile delinquents are instigated to commit crimes by patronage of political influencers. But there is no political pressure to prevent juvenile delinquency.
Uttara Trust College student Adnan lost his life for the first time in 2017 due to gang culture.
The gang members are involved in various immoral activities including murder, drug dealing.
They are involved in clashes and conflict from trivial issues.
Besides, conflict of interest spreads due to various criminal activities. Bike riding on the road with loud horn, car racing has also been noticed among the gangs.
Social workers are also talking about forming citizen committees to prevent juvenile gangs at the ward level in the city corporation and municipal areas.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police DMP Commissioner Khandaker Golam Farooq said: "Political goodwill can play an important role in preventing juvenile crime. Police are also actively working to control juvenile crime in different parts of the country including the capital. In order to achieve success in this regard, all the members of the society, including parents, must be involved.
Roufun Nahar, a lecturer in the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology of Dhaka University, said that not giving time to children by parents and handing over smartphones at a young age are also responsible for the recklessness of teenagers.
“Everyone has wounds….Those who are not raising children properly…there are also reasons behind not giving the required guidance, affection and love to their children…Maybe (the parents) didn't get it. Maybe they don't know how to give it,” said the lecturer.
