PM for alternative measures to deal with juvenile criminals

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given special instructions to deal with juvenile gangs, said Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain.

He said: "In this case, the PM asked to take a different approach in the case of juvenile criminals instead of the way criminals are traditionally dealt with."

"The Prime Minister has asked all concerned including parents, teachers and local public representatives to join in this work," he added.

Mahbub Hossain said this at a press conference organized to announce the decision of the Cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Monday (April 8) afternoon.

The Prime Minister gave this order in an unscheduled discussion at the Cabinet meeting on Monday, he informed.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the Cabinet meeting.

Mahbub Hossain said the Prime Minister said that when dealing with juvenile gangs or juvenile criminals, remember that they are the future citizens. They shouldn’t be confused with other habitual criminals. Provision of special counseling for them and training facilities should also be kept in the measures.

Informing about the instructions of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Secretary also said that the Ministry of Home Affairs has been instructed to pay special attention to their (juvenile criminals) management.

Nothing that they should should have a chance to reform, the Prime Minister has also given instructions that they should not be kept with other accused in the jail.

And she also instructed the social welfare ministry to take related projects in this regard.

Mahbub Hossain said that there are currently three child development centers (Gazipur, Tongi and Jessore) and the Prime Minister has asked to increase this number.

Apart from this, she asked to extend more facilities, so that they (juvenile offenders) can be reformed.