NATURE OF ORGANISED BANDITRY IN INDIA - A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF A CRIMINAL LEGEND AND ITS LEGACY

• NCJ Number: 64826
• Journal: Indian Journal of Criminology Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1980) Pages: 31-38
• Author(s): S P SRIVASTAVA
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Indian Soc of Criminology
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: India
• Note: PAPER PRESENTED AT THE SEMINAR ON 'CONTROL AND ERADICATION OF DACOITY IN AN ORGANISED FORM' HELD UNDER THE JOINT AUSPICES OF THE INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, AGRA UNIVERSITY AND THE POLICE DEPTT OF U P AN AGRA FROM DECEMBER 16TH TO DECEMBER 17TH, 1978

Annotation

THE PHENOMENON OF INDIAN DACOITY (ARMED ROBBERS TERRORIZING LOCAL POPULATIONS) IS ANALYZED AGAINST THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF BANDITRY TRADITION.

Abstract

INDIA HAS BEEN PLAGUED FOR CENTURIES BY VARIOUS FORMS OF ORGANIZED CRIME AND BANDITRY, SUCH AS THE NOTORIOUS THUGS WHO COMBINED ROBBERY WITH GRUESOME RITUALISTIC MURDER. IN A CLIMATE OF OPPRESSION, POVERTY, AND SUPERSTITIOUS FEAR, SUCH GANGS OF BANDITS AND MURDERERS OPERATED WITH IMPUNITY. THEY EVEN ACQUIRED A SPURIOUS GLAMOR AND BECAME FOLK LEGENDS. TODAY'S DACOITS, PART OF THAT IDEALIZED OUTLAW TRADITION, ARE RECRUITED FROM THE RANKS OF MEMBERS OF THE WARRIOR CASTE AND OF MINOR FEUDAL LORDS DEPRIVED OF THEIR LIVELIHOOD BY THE ADVENT OF A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT. DURING THE BRITISH OCCUPATION, THEY TURNED TO GUERRILLA WARFARE AGAINST THE COLONISTS. NOW TECHNICALLY UNEMPLOYED AS WARRIORS AND GUERRILLA FIGHTERS, YET UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO MAKE AN HONEST LIVING, THEY ARE STILL LIVING BY THE SWORD OR, RATHER, BY THE GUN. THEY OPERATE IN REGIONS WHERE THE TERRAIN OFFERS NATURAL HIDEOUTS AND CONCEALMENT FROM PURSUIT. THEY ARE OFTEN PROTECTED BY CORRUPT LOCAL POLITICIANS AND POLICE OFFICIALS, BUT THEIR BEST PROTECTION AGAINST THE POLICE IS THE LACK OF PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE LAW. POLICE EFFECTIVENESS IS SEVERELY CURTAILED BY THE NEAR-IMPOSSIBILITY OF ACQUIRING INTELLIGENCE ON THE DACOITS' MOVEMENTS, AND FINDING VICTIMS WHO ARE WILLING TO BEAR WITNESS AGAINST THE BANDITS. ONLY A TWO-PRONGED EFFORT, AIMED AT STRENGTHENING THE POLICE AND AT ELIMINATING THE TRUE CAUSES OF DACOITY, CAN SOLVE THE PROBLEM. (LGR)