Chandigarh, May 17 -- Juvenile criminals in Chandigarh are no longer just petty thieves or pickpockets. A growing number of teenagers are now being booked for violent crimes, ranging from murder, attempt to murder, rape, robbery, rioting and assault. A detailed analysis of juvenile crime in Chandigarh over the past five years reveals a dark shift in trends: while theft continues to top the list of offences committed by juveniles, violent crimes, resulting in deadly consequences, are not far behind. According to official data, a total of 64 juveniles were apprehended for attempt to murder between 2020 and April 2025. Alarmingly, 2024 alone recorded 19 such cases-the highest in five years-while the first four months of 2025 have already seen 13 juveniles being booked under this serious offence. This was followed by 60 juveniles facing legal action for rioting, another violent offence. Earlier, most juveniles in conflict with law were booked for petty offences, such as theft and snatching, reflected in 86 juveniles being nabbed for theft and 64 for snatching. However, the steep rise in attempt to murder cases has triggered concerns over increasing aggression and use of weapons among juveniles. Police sources say many of these incidents involve group clashes, revenge attacks, with use of knives and iron rods, often linked to local gang rivalries or disputes. "Riot essentially refers to an unlawful assembly where members use force or violence to achieve a common objective. Earlier, we would charge juveniles under rioting sections, but with the growing intensity of violence, we now impose stricter sections like attempt to murder to create a stronger deterrent," said a senior police officer. "We're witnessing a shift from individual offences to collective crimes. Many juveniles operate in groups and get connected inside juvenile homes with like-minded offenders. The bail provisions are lenient, and the maximum penalty is just three years, regardless of the offence. This creates a cycle where children, once released, reconnect with their peers and reoffend. Adults are also exploiting them for criminal activities, knowing the juvenile justice system is less stringent. These children are being taught how to game the system," said Neil Roberts, advocate and member of Child Welfare Committee, Chandigarh. To break this cycle, SSP Kanwardeep Kaur said, "We recognise the urgent need to address juvenile crime with a focused approach. We aim to nominate one mentor from each police station who will work closely with juveniles, guiding them towards positive choices, which will help prevent repeat offences."...