Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 21
It is a fact that overall Dimapur houses the best schools in Nagaland. But the question is whether or not Dimapur is a safe place for students any longer. Nagas are now discussing issues of “Gang culture” that have cropped up in their society. Within weeks of an incident involving students of two institutions in Dimapur allegedly getting involved in a gang fight, the video of which was posted on Youtube – a popular social networking site – brought the rising trend to the notice of the people.
Hot on its heels, following the incident, was another similar but more terrifying incident, narrated to The Morung Express by a reliable source, about a gang of youngsters calling themselves the “G-11”. The teenage gang – while involved in an illegal activity was reportedly captured by a “union” (which refuses to be named). What is alarming about the capture of this gang is that they were reportedly brandishing a fake gun and terrorizing people. The gang call themselves “G 11” (eleven members in the gang), with the youngest member said to be in class nine.
It was also reported that these youngsters are between the ages of 15 to 18 years. The advent of these teenagers has brought to light the existence of gangs in educational institutions and also the streets of Dimapur. What was once seen only on television and movies are now being enacted live in the classrooms and the streets.
Speaking to The Morung Express, the administrative head of a well known school in Dimapur also admitted receiving a SMS-text from one of the students informing about a fight to be scheduled between some schools in Dimapur. Following this, the heads of schools held a meeting last Friday during which the issue of gang fights between students of various schools was discussed. The administrative head also said that the students were instructed last week not to pay heed to the SMS-text. Commenting on a reported gang fight at another popular school in Dimapur, where it was rumored that Mahila police personnel had to intervene to bring the situation under control, the administrator head opined that “…things were being blown out of proportion.” However, the head admits that high school students are easy to monitor while it is very difficult to handle higher secondary students.
Poor parenting, lack of aspiration and employment issues
An interesting point emphasized by youths was the financial gains associated with gangs. Influence of the media is also touted as a prominent reason – youths are lured by the promise of status, excitement of leading a so-called “gangsta” life as depicted by movies and music. Psychology is also interrelated to gang culture. As a youth pointed out, “one automatically becomes a part of something if you belong to a group.”
Unlike Dimapur where gang culture is relatively new, third-world societies such as Bhutan have been facing it for quite sometime. An editorial of a website news service said authorities have for the first time started to discuss the issue with school students.
Proactive measures by Paro police (a district of Bhutan) is creating awareness among the youth on gang cultures. The SP of Paro, along with other senior personnel has been visiting different schools to educate youths on the negative aspects of the culture. Students were informed of the criminal offenses liable when in a gang and of the penalty they would be subject to if found guilty. The positive result of this initiative? Last month, 55 youngsters from various gangs have since signed a pledge to disassociate themselves from gangs and any kind of unlawful activities.
Nipping the bud
It is also not only Dimapur that has to be aware and alert, but other smaller districts as well. What parents and authorities need to know about gangs and gang culture is that many people mistakenly believe that gangs are a city problem. This is not the case, because studies show gang activity in suburban and rural areas as well. The problem also has to be nipped right in the bud, before it starts to take a more serious and grave overtone.
There is also the real danger that some schools will be tempted to conceal or disregard the need to address such problems for fear the reputation of the school will suffer. For now, parents, schools, district authorities and law enforcement agencies firstly has to acknowledge the issue of gang problems to enable tackling the matter before it is too late.
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