NCJ Number
65055
Journal
Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1978) Pages: 17-22
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE ROLE OF SOCIAL AND MASS MEDIA COMMUNICATION IN ELIMINATING DACOITY (CRIMINAL GANG ACTIVITIES) IN INDIA'S CHAMBAL VALLEY IS CRITICALLY EVALUATED.
Abstract
DACOITS DISRUPT THE SOCIAL LIFE OF THE VALLEY BY FREQUENTLY MAKING RANSOM DEMANDS, LOOTING, AND MURDERING. POLICE AND ARMED FORCES HAVE FAILED TO ERADICATE DACOITY BECAUSE THE CONTINUOUS FLOW OF DACOITS FROM NONDACOITS HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED. AS A RESULT, IF ONE DACOIT IS SHOT OR ARRESTED, TWO NEW ONES SPRING UP AND THE LIQUIDATED GANG IS REORGANIZED OR FILLED UP BY NEW RECRUITS. TWO MAJOR ASPECTS OF COMMUNICATION IN CONTROLLING DACOITY ARE (1) TO MAKE GOVERNMENT AND WELFARE AGENCIES AWARE OF EVENTS USUALLY LEADING A PERSON TOWARD DACOITY (VILLAGE FACTION AND PARTISANSHIP, FAMILY FEUDING AND DISTURBANCES, DISPUTES OVER LAND, CASTE TENSIONS, AND INJUSTICE AND OPPRESSION INFLICTED BY POWERFUL PERSONS), AND (2) TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MOVEMENT AND ACTIONS OF DACOIT GANGS TO POLICE SO COUNTERMEASURES CAN BE INITIATED. CURATIVE DACOITY MEASURES INVOLVE THE ACTION OF POLICE AND ARMED FORCES TO ABOLISH CRIMINAL GANGS. TREATMENT MEASURES INVOLVE THE RESOCIALIZATION OF CONVICTS, WHILE PREVENTIVE MEASURES REVOLVE AROUND LONG-TERM EFFORTS TO EFFECT SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND CULTURAL CHANGE IN THE VALLEY. THE CHAMBAL AREA LACKS TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION FACILITIES. INFORMATION IS CARRIED FROM VILLAGE TO CITY BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND PUBLIC WORKERS. THE PRESS, CINEMA, AND RADIO ARE IMPORTANT FORMS OF MASS MEDIA COMMUNICATION, BUT POVERTY AND ILLITERACY OFTEN PROHIBIT ACCESS TO THESE COMMUNICATION VEHICLES. SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND CONTROL DACOITY INCLUDE (1) LOCAL NEWSPAPERS SHOULD GIVE ADEQUATE ATTENTION TO NEWS ITEMS REGARDING SOCIAL REFORM AND WELFARE; (2) FILMS ON ANTIDACOITY THEMES SHOULD BE SHOWN TO VILLAGERS; (3) LOCAL BROADCASTERS SHOULD EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF ERADICATING DACOITY; (4) GOVERNMENT OFFICERS AND LEADERS SHOULD MAKE REGULAR VISITS TO VILLAGES; AND (5) EXHIBITIONS, SEMINARS, AND CAMPS OF SOCIAL WORKERS AND STUDENTS SHOULD BE HELD TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF DACOITY. SUPPORTING DATA AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)