Vadodara: A 16-year-old boy’s brutal attack and murder of another minor in a city-based school has left the Sanskarinagri shocked. Known to be the cultural capital of Gujarat, the city had never seen such gruesome murder committed in the safe environs of a school. The rising number of crimes committed by teenagers over last few years, though, has left Barodians worried.
In July 2012, a 17-year-old boy murdered his friend, who too was a minor, in Navapura area. Krishil Patel, a resident of Manjalpur, was strangulated to death by the accused at his home. The accused, who was jealous about the deceased’s friendship with a girl, later buried Patel’s body in an open ground near his residence.
In August 2014, a 16-year-old girl was detained for murdering her foster parents. The girl and her 22-year-old boyfriend Sapan Purani killed the couple at their residence in Manjalpur. The girl told the police that she was angry with her parents who had opposed her relationship with Sapan. What shocked the cops was that the girl and her friend kept the bodies in the bungalow and poured acid on them for nearly two months to ensure that they are decomposed.
“Earlier, people had inhibitions about committing crimes. Now, with exposure to media and violent television crime shows, the inhibition has gone. The violent video games have also played a role in instigating teenagers,” said Dr Gautam Amin, psychiatrist. “Another reason behind teenagers committing crimes is the lack of patience. They are used to instant gratification and get almost everything they want. So any denial frustrates them immediately,” Amin told TOI.
In April 2015, a 23-year-old boy killed his friend Rudraa Pandya as he was upset with her. Harpal Patel had made several advances towards Pandya but when she turned them down he got angry with her. When he was high on drugs, he called her to discuss the issues between them and later strangulated her to death in her car.
“The incidents of teenage crimes have been reported over last several years and it is a matter of great concern. If any school student shows traits of extreme anger or violence, he or she needs to be counselled professionally. Schools should have their own counsellors as they can help students in anger management,” said Manoj Sashidhar, city police commissioner.