Neten Dorji | Trashigang

Police will hereafter make no exceptions for youth coming in conflict with the law, Deputy Chief of Police Colonel Passang Dorji said during a sensitisation event in Trashigang recently.

The DCoP of Crime and Operations is on a sensitisation tour of the eastern dzongkhags.

He said that things are now getting out of control and an increasing number of youths have been caught violating laws. This is why the decision to implement the laws strictly was made.

According to the DCoP, police have been considerate so far, aware of the long-term consequences for the youth when caught and prosecuted. “The criminal records would hamper the person getting security clearances in the future. However, with an increase in the number of cases involving youth, now they will be dealt as per the law.”

“What is happening today is, parents react only when their children are arrested, and by then it is too late to correct them,” he said.

He said that it was not only the responsibility of the police to curb youth crime. “Parents and individuals must share equal responsibility addressing this issue,” said  Colonel Passang Dorji.

Local leaders and principals at the event also agreed with the worrying trend of increasing youth crimes.

Police arrested 462 youths in conflict with the law in the past eight months.  

While some were involved in trafficking drugs cases, others were involved in battery, alcohol abuse, larceny and other crimes.  Most of them were unemployed.

Last year alone RBP apprehended 689 youths of which 186 were students and 503 were youths. In 2020, 689 youths were arrested of which 162 were students.

Some of the common crimes committed by the youth are abusing drugs and alcohol, battery, possession of weapons, burglary, and relationship issues.

Some of the factors aggravating youth crime are insisting on fundamental rights and forgetting the fundamental duties, entertainment centres, late-night operation of bars and restaurants and food vendors.

Police in collaboration with the dzongkhag administration and school management are in the process of sensitising all stakeholders.