Rayagada The rise in mobile theft in Rayagada district has become a serious concern for the police. Investigations have revealed that many juveniles are involved in these thefts. Psychologists suggest that the obsession with mobile phones among children aged 10 to 12 is a major reason behind these thefts.
In tribal-dominated and economically backward areas of Rayagada, children from poor families are resorting to theft to afford a mobile phone. In the last three months, 164 cases of mobile theft have been registered at the Rayagada Town Police Station, out of which 48 cases involved juveniles. Recently, in the Khal police station area, four juveniles were accused of mobile theft.
Most of the juveniles involved in these thefts were students of class 5 or 6. They reportedly entered shops through rooftop openings to steal mobile phones. Fearing arrest, they even smashed CCTV cameras and threw them into the forest to erase evidence.
Officials believe that mobile addiction and financial constraints are forcing these children into theft. Authorities have stated that juvenile offenders will undergo counseling to raise awareness. For serious offenses, the law provides for sending them to a rehabilitation center in Bhawanipatna. Rayagada Town Police Officer K.K.B.K. confirmed these measures.