Tamil Nadu is grappling with rising crime rates, highlighted by two alarming incidents involving youth violence on school buses and schemes targeting vulnerable entrepreneurs. These events have sparked considerable concern among communities and law enforcement.
A tragic incident unfolded on Monday evening when a teenage boy collapsed on his school bus after experiencing an altercation with a classmate. The bus, traveling through the Vellandivalasu area of Edappadi, was carrying students from one of the town’s private schools. An unnamed police officer familiar with the case informed The Indian Express, citing preliminary reports indicating the dispute began innocently but escalated significantly.
"Eyewitness statements say when the bus neared their village... the argument escalated. During the fight, the boy reportedly collapsed inside the vehicle," the officer clarified. Quick action from school staff and fellow students resulted in the boy being rushed to a local private hospital. Despite initial attempts to stabilize him, he was later transferred to the intensive care unit of another facility, where he succumbed to his injuries early Tuesday morning.
The police are currently awaiting the postmortem report to establish the precise cause of death, with the officer adding, "We are speaking to students, teachers, and the driver to piece together the sequence of events." Conflicting accounts about the cause of the altercation—ranging from teasing to seating disagreements—have complicated the investigation. Local reports suggested the boy could have had pre-existing health issues, impacting his condition when he collapsed.
Simultaneously, another troubling case has emerged, this time involving financial fraud. The owner of SK Cycles, based out of Ludhiana, reported being swindled out of ₹1.38 crore by con artists posing as officials from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. The accused, including MS Sridharan, promised Lakra assistance with securing tender contracts to supply bicycles to these states.
Acting on these promises, Lakra deposited the large sum as advance payment. Unfortunately, after the transfer, the fraudulent officials ceased communications, leading to the filing of the complaint with the police. Sub-inspector Jagtar Singh noted, "An FIR under section 420 of IPC has been lodged against the accused. A hunt is on for their arrest." This incident has raised significant alarm about the vulnerabilities businesses face against sophisticated scams.
On a broader scale, recent statistics from the Ministry of Home Affairs reveal a troubling rise in crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) across India, including Tamil Nadu. The number of registered cases against SCs increased from 1,274 in 2020 to 1,761 by 2022, as presented by Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar during the recent Lok Sabha session. This dramatic increase paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by these communities.
Specifically, Tamil Nadu reported 23 cases against STs in 2020, which surged to 67 by 2022. Violence against women from these communities is also alarming, with rapes reported among SC women rising from 116 cases in 2020 to 166 cases just two years later. The statistics for ST women also climbed during this period.
"There is a rise in the crimes against the SCs and STs..." Kumar explained. The government has taken steps to combat these trends, including amendments to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989 and the establishment of a national helpline against atrocities.
These incidents outline the pressing need for enhanced community safety and greater vigilance among authorities and citizens alike. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to address the underlying issues contributing to this troubling trend of violence and fraud, reinforcing the importance of creating secure environments for all, especially the most vulnerable.
Overall, these stories reflect the urgent societal issues confronting Tamil Nadu, emphasizing the need for both community engagement and systemic reform to cultivate safer educational and economic landscapes.