Photo : TDM
A series of recent crime incidents involving ‘kishore gang’ (meaning teenagers and young adults going astray) in educational institutions across the capital city have sparked fear and alarm among students, guardians, law enforcers, and experts alike.
The escalating trend of violence and criminal activities predominantly among these unruly teens have prompted high-ranking officials from law enforcement agencies, lawyers, and experts to emphasise the urgent need for boosting social and family-based morale, as well as providing proper guidance from educational institutions and families.
This unsolicited recent surge in criminal activities among teenagers is believed to be influenced by a number of factors like improper use of modern technology, particularly smartphones and social media platforms as well as lack of family values.
Teenagers are increasingly falling prey to misguided influences, including immoral local political leaders, leading them to engage in criminal acts driven by notions of heroism, intrepidity, dominance, and cruelty.
A recent incident took place on Sunday around 11:00am involving students from Motijheel Model High School and College in the capital, when a group of students brutally assaulted another student named Ahmed.
After leaving the exam hall, the assailants grabbed Ahmed's collar, dragged him to the vicinity of Shaheed Minar altar behind the school building, and mercilessly beat him. Local residents intervened upon hearing Ahmed's cries for help – thereby causing the assailants to flee the scene.
Eyewitnesses said such altercations among students over trivial matters have become distressingly common these days. These altercations frequently occur between students within the same institution, but clashes also extend to students from different schools.
A concerned parent, Mr Afzal, shared with The Daily Messenger that many students at Motijheel Model School and College carry lethal weapons like straight razors (Khur) in their pockets.
He expressed disappointment over the school's inaction when talking about the menace. Several parents echoed his sentiment and claimed that the situation at the school continued deteriorating in recent past. Despite attempts to reach out to the principal of Motijheel Model School and College for comment on this horrible situation, he could not be reached for a response.
Experts have warned that the problem of violence and crime extends beyond Motijheel Model School and College in Dhaka. The situation is reportedly dire in numerous schools across the capital, particularly in Uttara, Mirpur, and Mohammadpur. Juvenile gangs have infiltrated these schools, leading to a rise in various criminal activities, including extortion and even murder.
Ashiq, hailing from Pallabi in Mirpur, leads a notorious gang called Ashiq Bahini, consisting of teenagers involved in a wide range of criminal offenses. Many youth gangs in Mohammadpur and other areas are also responsible for misdemeanors such as Eve teasing and extortion.
The issue of juvenile gang violence gained significant attention in 2017 following the brutal murder of Adnan Kabir, a class eight student, by a gang of juveniles in Uttar Pradesh. Adnan was mercilessly beaten and hacked to death in the playground of Road No. 17, Sector No. 13, Uttara on the evening of January 6. Following the incident, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) conducted a successful raid, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals, including gang leaders.
According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, numerous youth gangs operate within the capital, with many members being students from different schools. Additionally, some youths are affiliated with the criminal underworld.
When contacted Additional commissioner (operation and crimes) DIG Dr KH Mahid Uddin told The Daily Messenger that the need for social, family-based, and religious morale to combat the teen-gang culture is needed. They highlighted the crucial role parents play in dedicating more time to their children and closely monitoring their activities.
The Rapid Action Battalion-2 Commanding Officer and Additional Deputy Inspector General, Anwar Hossain Khan, emphasized that immediate action is taken upon receiving complaints, but tackling the teen-gang culture requires social awareness and continuous parental motivation to prevent derailment.
Advocate Rejaul Islam advocated for trials under the juvenile act, urging the legal system to hold those involved in teen gangs and crimes accountable. Dr. Tawohidul Haque, Assistant Professor at the University of Dhaka’s Social Welfare and Research, stressed the importance of social and family-based counselling.
Also a specialist in social and crime issues, Dr Tawohid asserted that the surge in crimes committed by these unscrupulous teenagers in educational institutions calls for better monitoring and intervention on part of parents, educational institutes as well as the society as a whole.
TDM/SD
