Budding criminals in JJ clusters under lens

Juveniles in crosshairs Police will undertake a slew of measures

- Hemani Bhandari

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police has formed JJ Cluster Committees to curb organised crime and juvenile delinquency by identifying "budding criminals" in slum clusters, checking illegal activities and conducting verification drives, following an order issued by the commissioner of police to DCPs to form such teams for every district.

In an order dated March 10, police commissioner Sanjay Arora said that the clusters are home to a large section of the city's economically weaker population, who see police as an external force that disrupts their lives rather than protects them.

"This mistrust makes it difficult for law enforcement agencies to gather intelligence or prevent crime effectively. Due to economic hardship and lack of education, many young boys from these areas become involved in crimes ranging from pickpocketing to more serious offences," he said in the order.