Editorial: Petty Crime, Major Challenge

Of the three crimes reported in the pages of today’s edition, at least one hints at a social challenge which is waiting to explode in the State. A lady was assaulted at home in a remote West Sikkim town by burglars who made away with what would qualify to be a negligible bounty – a gold chain, a mobile phone and some loose cash. The perpetrators of the crime have not been identified yet and thus far no suspects have been picked up either. If this case does get solved, it would come as no surprise if the accused turn out to be juveniles who are resorting to violent delinquency to feed habits and needs beyond their means. The larger towns of Sikkim like Gangtok, Namchi, Jorethang and Singtam have already experienced many such incidents, but unfortunately, even as the social concern required to address the problem is awaited, the problem is already spreading to smaller towns.
Thefts and burglaries are common in Sikkim. Readers who have been following such reports will recall that burglars mostly target houses when the family is away and a reasonably substantial loot expected. Although burglaries are reported after almost every long weekend or festive holiday, the last case of violence related in such an attempt was from a Gangtok suburb some months ago. Even in that case, the attacker was a young person. In the West Sikkim case, although the thieves took a big risk in entering a house and attacking the lady [the furore to could have alerted neighbours], they ended up with a share that can be called petty. The assault to have ended worse for the victim, and while it is fortunate that she got away with only bruises, what is worrying is that there are groups willing to put their victims to grievous harm for even ‘petty’ pickings. What is also cause for worry is that petty crimes are no longer rare and the number of such incidents which also include violence is also growing. It is important for the society to address this problem, work out a process by which these delinquents can be counselled back into behaving more responsibly before they are irretrievably lost. Responsibility towards this section cannot be shirked because they are still young and because their futures have been compromised by the collective failure of the society to watch out for them and groom them when it is most required. What is also worrying is that even as these youth remain ignored by the society at large, they seem to have access to influences which see nothing wrong in either violence or stealing. They also offer themselves as ready fodder to be discharged during politically charges times which are not very far in future with the assembly elections barely two years away.
Only the immediate family and perhaps neighbours can keep an eye out against corrupting influences, but this should be complemented by local organisations which can engage the cast away youth in activities which can play them back into becoming part of the society. This is important, and should not be left for the cops who will only start harassing the kids and chasing them away from street corners and pushing them into deeper recesses where even reaching hem will become difficult. It is really time that Sikkim gave itself an NGO with worked among this section.