Berhampur: Family members and teachers are largely to blame for ever-rising cases of minors committing serious crimes, psychiatrist Sudeepta Panigrahi has said.
According to her, lack of moral education coupled with indifference and lack of proper care by teachers and family members go a long way to motivate minor to choose the path of crime. The urge to make quick bucks is another key factor, she argued.
She has also suggested that recreational teaching must be taken seriously by juvenile homes where minor criminals are often lodged.
Government data shows that as many as 89 minors were arrested for their involvement in various crimes in Berhampur police district between 2016 and 19.
According to researchers, the minors have been orchestrating various crimes in the district including rape and murder. On a number of occasions the desire to lead a lavish lifestyle leads them to astray as they choose contract killing, loot, snatching among others to make fast money without realising the consequences.
It may be mentioned here that a couple of months ago, a locked house was burgled of its valuables including ornaments and cash, four bikes were lifted from Bada Bazaar area, burglaries occurred at Goshaninuagoan Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir, KTM showroom near Nilakanthanagar and murderous attack on a youth near Kanjibari Sahi. In all these cases, minors were said to be involved.
Meanwhile, police have arrested some minors involved in two theft cases registered under Baidyanathpur police limits. It has been found out that two of them had earlier stolen Rs 5.25 lakh from a cement shop at Goilundi under the same Baidyanathpur police limits and with the stolen money they had purchased motorcycles and mobile phones among other articles.
After arrest, the minors are sent to ‘Balsudhar’ homes where they undergo counseling. After their release, most of them are said to have returned to the world of crime.