Chattogram District Police detained 445 people in a special drive across 17 police station areas to prevent juvenile crime and curb criminal activities involving teenagers. The operation was conducted from Sunday (September 27) evening until late at night.
According to the district police public relations department, the drive was conducted in neighbourhoods, markets, railway stations, playgrounds, abandoned and isolated areas, and other places where teenagers were likely to gather.
During the operation, police identified teenagers found hanging out in different locations or allegedly involved in suspicious activities and subjected them to questioning and verification.
A total of 354 teenagers were detained during the drive. Following verification, 293 were handed over to their guardians after signing undertakings as no evidence of their involvement in criminal activities was found. Meanwhile, legal action was taken against 61 people after preliminary evidence of their involvement in criminal activities was found.
Another 91 people were detained over alleged involvement in drugs and other criminal activities. The total number of detainees in the operation stood at 445.
After the operation, guardians were called to police stations and advised to remain more attentive to their children. They were asked to regularly monitor when, where and with whom their children spend time, where they go and whether they return home at the scheduled time.
Guardians were also advised to monitor their children’s studies, movements, friendships and social media use, and to keep them away from drugs and crime-prone environments.
Chattogram District Police called for coordinated efforts involving families, educational institutions, local representatives, teachers, social and religious organisations and other relevant stakeholders to prevent juvenile crime.
District Police Superintendent Masud Alam said such special drives and surveillance activities would continue to prevent juvenile crime. He also sought the sincere cooperation of guardians and people from all sections of society.
