Kohima: Juvenile crime is surging across Nagaland, yet the state’s official statistics hide a growing crisis. While theft and burglary remain common among teenagers, authorities report a disturbing rise in violent offenses involving children as young as 11 years old. Experts point to rampant social media exposure as a primary driver for this shift.
The issue often stays beneath the surface. Raitale Zeliang of the State Child Protection Society says, "Earlier juvenile crimes were mostly concentrated among older children between 16 to 18 years but last few years has shown increase in serious offences among children below 16 years and as young as 11 years."
Many cases go undocumented because communities treat them as private family matters. Traditional village councils and clan elders often resolve behavioral issues internally, bypassing the legal requirements of the Juvenile Justice Act of 2015. This leaves official data for areas like Dimapur and Kohima looking like just the tip of the iceberg.
When a child is apprehended, the law mandates a specific process. The Juvenile Justice Board, comprised of a judicial magistrate and two social workers, manages the case. Police stations appoint Child Welfare Police Officers, while Special Juvenile Police Units handle initial reports. Probation officers then draft a Social Investigation Report to help the Board determine bail or sentencing.
Despite this framework under the Mission Vatsalya Scheme, which employs 700 people, systemic lapses persist. Officials admit that some government appointments overlook required experience, and there is a dire need for better training. Unlike the POCSO Act, public awareness regarding mandatory reporting for general juvenile offenses remains dangerously low.
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