Ggn: Minors' abduction up 70%; lack of evidence a major reason for crime against minors
Gurugram: With every passing year not only has there been an increase in crimes against minors but worryingly some of the incidents have been extremely gory. One of such incidents was recently reported when a three-year-old was abducted, raped, tortured and then bludgeoned to death.
The official data of Gurugram police further highlights the vulnerabilities of the city that is extending beyond the sexual crimes. Compared to last year, there has been more than seventy per cent increase in cases of abduction of minors.
While in 2017, 198 cases were registered, in 2018 until the end of November, the number has risen to 362. It is also significant to note that among the children who are kidnapped it is not only the girls but also young boys who are being kidnapped.
In 2017, out of 198 minors, who were abducted, 115 were girls. The incidents of children being kidnapped are not a new phenomenon and for long, this law and order challenge has continued to plague the officials. In the period from 2012 to 2017, over 1,062 children have been kidnapped in which 677 were girls. According to the Gurugram police, the gangs from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are highly active in committing such crimes. It is not only the gangs that are active in this crime but thee have been a lot of relatives of the victims that have been arrested for carrying out the crime.
According to law enforcement officials, the main reason for the groups indulging in crimes against minors is because that evidence in these forms of crimes is extremely less.
It is important to note that despite Gurugram being a leader in crime against minors, at 20 per cent the level of conviction is still very low.
Along with the increase in cases of abduction, the number of sexual crimes against the minors registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) has also seen an increase. While in 2017, the number of registered cases were 97, this year till the end of November, the cases have already inched towards the 150 mark.
Sources in the police claim that there are also a large number of complaints of molestation against the minors which often do not get reported. To make sure that there is more reporting on the matter, the Gururgam police also held a workshop in various schools where children were made aware of the differences between good and bad touch.
"Crimes against minors is definitely a law and order challenge and the recent incidents that have come out has further increased the fears. Needless to say, the mechanism is being created wherein we can reduce these forms of crime. On a positive side, there has now been more awareness on these crimes and people know that it is not only girls but even boys who get exploited," said a senior police official from Gurugram police.
Not helping the matter for Gurugram police is also an increase in cases of crime against women. While in 2017, the incidents reported were 762, this year the cases have increased to 1,006.
