NCJ Number
147266
Journal
Indian Journal of Social Work Volume: 41 Issue: 1 Dated: (1980) Pages: 59-71
Date Published
1980
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This victim-centered study of dacoity in the Chambal Valley region of India used data collected in interviews with nearly 190 victims. The primary objective of the research was to delineate social differentiation in victimization by dacoit-gangs.
Abstract
The findings show that the dacoits in the Chambal Valley pick and choose their victims based on several social characteristics. The proportion of victimization in rural areas is much higher than the proportion of rural residents in the total population. The proportions of women, youth, and elderly victims remain low; these groups have seldom been the targets of bandits and other predatory criminals in India. Likewise, the proportion of non-Hindu victims is also lower than their proportion in the population. Caste has been a critical factor in victimization; members of the backward and scheduled castes are most often victims, while the dacoits are mostly led by members of the upper castes. More than two- thirds of the victims in this study had been victimized by gangs whose leaders belong to caste groups other than their own. More victims are educated, affluent, and farmers or businessmen than their nonvictimized counterparts. 9 tables and 27 references