According to the Delhi Police, 90 per cent of street crimes in the Capital are committed by youngsters from underprivileged backgrounds. With an aim to turn the attention of these youngsters towards more constructive activities, such as sports, Delhi Police has launched an interesting community-policing project. It has written to several civic agencies, recommending setting up of parks and playgrounds and train “potential criminals” in sports.
City activists feel that promoting sports as a medium of recreation among these youngsters is a welcome initiative, but government also needs to look deeper into the issue and impart youngsters with some professional skills.
According to the officials, most of these youths are below the age of 25, and are from economically weaker backgrounds. “After acknowledging the fact that most of these youth are from underprivileged backgrounds, often living in unauthorised colonies, one needs to dig deeper into the matter. Taking a cue from the Delhi Police initiative, can government, in association with some NGO, also plan professional programs to engage these youth?” says Manisha Kapoor, a Delhi-based media professional.
The project has been in the pipeline for the last three months, according to Delhi Police officials, who have identified Outer, Northwest and East Delhi as areas to begin with. “These places have the largest number of resettlement colonies, where incidents of petty street crimes are on a high. Through this initiative, we intend to turn their attention towards activities such as cricket, wrestling and football, among other sports,” the officials added.
“The police is trying to rope in former players to train the youngsters. The idea is very noble, but we have to see that it is pursued sincerely. Only then will it have an impact,” says Asahma Sejpal, 25, a professional.