Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Gurugram, November 3

Citing cyber crime as one of the biggest challenges in Mewat, various Meo leaders and social organizations have sought better education and employment from the Rajasthan and Haryana governments to wean youths away from crime.

Haryana is one of the biggest cyber crime hubs in the country with Nuh topping the crime chart. According to crime records, more than 30 villages falling under Nuh and Palwal districts are hubs of cyber crime. The Haryana police launched a massive drive a year ago and nabbed over 5,000 cybercriminals in a single night.

Various political leaders, sarpanchs, ulema and maulvis came together at a mahapanchayat held in Somka village of Rajasthan’s Deeg district by the Bharatpur-based Samriddh Bharat Abhiyan. Speakers including MP Nuh Aftab Ahmed highlighted that Mewat was still untouched by education and employment avenues and this was forcing the youth to take to crime.

“It is sad but true that Meo youths are caught up in a web of cyber crime. Mewat in Haryana is a stone’s throw from the glittering millennium city of Gurugram, but it is a different world. Education and employment pathways have been neglected and virtually non-existent for the past 10 years. With no dignified way to earn for their families, the youth are lured by criminals and the future of Mewat is ruined. The government, both central and state, must be more sensitive to the needs of Mewat and make efforts as this is the only way to take our future away from crime,” said Aftab Ahmed.

Mahapnchayat decided to help abhiyan in counseling Meo youth who are attracted to cyber crime and connect them with activities like poultry farming, fish farming, beekeeping and skill development.

Maulana Mohammed Rashid of Meel Kherla Madrasa, who presided over the Mahapanchayat, said, “The Meo Muslim community is facing infamy today due to the criminal activities of some errant youth. We must get rid of all bad practices and introduce reforms. These reforms must start at the grassroots level and children must be empowered from an early age.”