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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Cops offer criminals a fresh start, dignity -Raj Shekhar

Cops offer criminals a fresh start, dignity -Raj Shekhar

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published Published on Jun 7, 2013   modified Modified on Jun 7, 2013
-The Times of India


NEW DELHI: When Bharat (name changed) was summoned to the Sarita Vihar police station on Wednesday, he braced himself for the usual round of beatings and questioning. But to his surprise, the B Tech graduate - who for a while had taken to snatchings to "make up for the loss of a mobile phone" - was escorted to an air-conditioned hall and offered refreshments.

More than 100 people with similar criminal records were sitting in the hall. The mystery soon ended - Bharat and the others were being offered a fresh start in life in a rare police initiative aimed at getting people on the fringes of criminality back in the mainstream.

The plan was explained to them by senior police officers and Kavita Chaudhary (of Udaan serial fame). "The initiative is a part of the YUWA programme launched by our commissioner. If these people agree to give up crime, they will be provided training, given a stipend and finally a job," said Ajay Chaudhary, additional CP, southeast district.

Police and NGOs have roped in owners of companies and factories in Okhla and other areas in the city who have agreed to employ these youths.

'Crooks' on straight path to be counselled

The additional CP said, "We want to open up avenues for people marginalized due to their involvement in crime. We are encouraging them to believe they could start afresh and lead productive lives. They will also be counselled to get rid of their inferiority complex."

Kavita Chaudhary interacted with the participants, heard their problems and offered her views on how things could change for the better. The participants were encouraged to speak out and interact with police officers as well as each other. They expressed their trepidations and reservations with the police. "They also spoke about how they had taken to crime. All of them agreed that they would like to lead normal, crime-free lives with respect and dignity," Ajay Chaudhary said.

This was a god-send opportunity for people like Bharat, who despite his engineering degree wasn't able to find a job nor any peace as beat constables would arrive at his home and take him along as soon as a crime took place in the area.

A participant with cases of burglary against him, told TOI, "I had resorted to stealing stuff due to financial crisis but then I stopped. However, life remained difficult. Even if I was eating lunch at home, a cop could come and drag me to the police station and interrogate me on some crime that had taken place. They would abuse me in front of my family."

"I tried my best to find a job but couldn't get. This seems like a chance to live life anew," he added.

During the meeting, a first of its kind initiative by any unit of Delhi Police, the obvious feeling of distrust slowly seemed to fade away. In the process, south Delhi residents may get a little relief with 109 'criminals' seemingly determined to live a normal life, away from police lathis and the prospects of being jailed.


The Times of India, 7 June, 2013, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Cops-offer-criminals-a-fresh-start-dignity/articleshow/20468048.cms


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