Steering adolescents away from the precipice of crime is a great effort that should begin with the family and community. A young police officer at Chakkarakkallu police station in Kannur, Kerala, is winning accolades for his efforts to wean away three young boys from the jaws of crime. Two boys studying in plus II had stolen gold ornaments from their house and sold them to a jeweller with the help of an egineering student who is also their friend. They used the cash to lead a luxurious life.
However, one of their mother's noticed some of her jewellery missing and with the help of her husband, grilled the boy who spilled the beans. The parents took the boy to Chakkarakkallu police station and sought the help of SI P Biju to recover the jewellery.
Biju interrogated the boy who revealed the role of his two friends in the incident and after rounding them up, the trio admitted to the crime. Biju spoke to the jeweller and made him pay the parents for the gold he had received. On realising that leaving the boys with a warning would only help them stray into the world of crime, Biju decided to mentor them. He has taken up the responsibility of helping them turn their lives around. The parents were readily agreed to his plan of bringing a positive change to their lives.
''We can't treat them as thieves or anti-social elements. They are only students, lured into the world of crime, Biju said. "I interacted with them for two hours. One of them has a bike worth Rs 1,80,000 and another has a bike worth Rs 65,000. They are only students and I wanted to make them understand reality and the need to live with honour and dignity,'' Biju said.
Their punishment will be to spend their Sundays at Chakkarakkallu police station. Apart from reading, the boys will have to cultivate vegetables on the police station premises, participate in sports, events and watch films. Biju also intends to give them psychological counselling. "I have a friend who is a counsellor. He has agreed to spend some time with these boys. We have to inspire them to lead a honourable life and chase their dreams. It seems they have realised their mistake,'' Biju said. ''No case has been registered in connection with the theft and there are no complaints,'' he added.
(This was first published in The New Indian Express)
