An effective preventive strategy helped the Haryana Police save 121 youths, who were in contact with major gangs, from being drawn into organised crime, officials said on Tuesday.
The Special Task Force (STF) of the Haryana Police, while launching a drive against organised crime and gangster networks, identified 121 youths across the state and guided them towards the right path under a comprehensive prevention plan, they added.
“These youths were found to be in contact with major criminal gangs of Haryana through various channels. This initiative reflects the farsighted approach of the Haryana Police, aimed not only at law enforcement but also at ensuring social security,” an official statement said.
Director General of Police (DGP) Ajay Singhal said, “One of the biggest challenges today is to guide youths at the crucial juncture where they can either become partners in nation-building or fall into the trap of crime.”
He said the timely identification of 121 youths by the STF and keeping them away from organised crime through counselling was not just police action, but a visionary step to safeguard society.
Singhal said the fight against gangster culture, violence and the glorification of crime is a shared responsibility of the police, families and society.
He added that the Cyber Police and district-level police units were also actively playing an important role in similar preventive and corrective efforts.
He also clarified that the objective of the Haryana Police was not only to punish criminals but also to save youths who were at risk of going astray.
During detailed technical and field-level monitoring, the STF found that these youths were active on social media platforms connected to gangster networks and were showing interest in gang-related activities, the statement said.
“The Haryana Police uses a multi-layered, technology-based surveillance system to identify youths who come into contact with or fall under the influence of gangsters through social media,” it said.
It further said that information about youths who could be at risk also emerged during interrogation of arrested criminals and routine analysis of digital evidence. Social media profiles linked to crime and behavioural patterns were monitored to assess negative influence.
“Gangsters and their associates lured youths with greed and temptation. Through social media and personal contact, they projected a false and glamorous image of crime, promising quick money, power and fear-based identity,” the statement said.
“In several cases, they exploited old rivalries, personal disputes and emotional weaknesses. Feelings of revenge were deliberately provoked so that youths would step into the world of crime in moments of anger,” it added.
It further stated that criminal networks tried to instil the belief that crime brings respect, power and solutions, while in reality, it leads only to violence, legal action and lifelong regret.
Considering the sensitivity of the matter, the STF prioritised counselling and reform over punitive action and included all 121 youths in a structured counselling programme, police said.
"During counselling sessions, youths were made aware of the legal, social and familial consequences of choosing the path of crime. Through real examples of jailed gang members, the actual condition of their families, socio-economic hardships and the breakdown of family structures, the harsh reality of crime was brought before them," the statement noted.
These sessions were held in the presence of family members and respected community figures to ensure collective involvement in the reform process, it added.
"The STF continues to keep all these youths under constant monitoring even after the counselling process. Reviews have revealed that due to timely and effective counselling, all 121 youths have maintained distance from crime, clearly proving the success and relevance of this preventive model," the Haryana Police said.
Swift legal action is also being taken against illegal social media content that glorifies violence, gangster culture and anti-social activities to protect youths from harmful influence, the statement added.
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