Proliferation of teen gangs

A report in this daily yesterday shed light on the shocking proliferation of teen gangs in Uttara where over two dozens of these groups operate. On January 6, Adnan, a fourteen-year-old boy, was beaten to death by a few local boys in Uttara as a result of their rivalry. Many others have also been victimised by these 'teen gangs', including a small trader who had to get 122 stitches on his body which bears the marks of assault with sharp weapons. Violent activities and graffiti of gang names scrawled across walls depict the audacious attitude of these people, whose leaders are either college dropouts or local thugs.     

What we are witnessing are the ramifications of a frustrated youth population, 25 percent of whom, between the ages of 15 and 29, remain inactive, i.e. they are neither in the education nor economic cycle. It is also compelled by the need to identify with a particular band. Furthermore, the glaring lack of cultural centres, libraries and public spaces such as parks and squares have paved the way over time for these youths to easily go astray and become involved in what seems to be a growing ominous culture.

This is a dangerous trend and the government should recognise it as such. There is an urgent need to create more opportunities for the youth population, which this paper has repeatedly voiced. Law enforcement agencies must also locate these gang members and bring their criminal activities to a halt before it spirals out of control. This is a wake-up call for parents to establish open communication with their children, attend to their needs and better monitor their activities.