PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The broad daylight murder of a young woman in the city’s busiest markets Paltan Bazaar has elicited concern about the safety of children and young adults. Parent Manju Upadhyay said that the recent murder has instilled fear among parents. Being a mother of a daughter herself, she has become more vigilant regarding her child’s safety in light of this incident. “After this event, I have advised my daughter to stay alert when going out and to share any suspicious occurrences with me or her father, rather than keeping them to herself,” she said.
She also highlighted a troubling trend where crimes are on the rise, asserting that they can only diminish if authorities concerned take stringent measures in such situations. Another parent, Vinod Jena, who has both a son and a daughter, echoed her concerns, stating that his worry for the safety of his children has intensified after the recent event. “Nowadays, it seems that no one is safe, even in public spaces,” he said.
He voiced his concerns about allowing his children to go out alone, suggesting that the authorities concerned need to implement strict measures in response to this incident to deter others from committing similar acts by enforcing severe consequences.
Other parents shared similar anxieties, heightened by this recent event. In response, clinical psychologist Mukul Sharma highlighted the necessity for parents to monitor their children more closely to prevent future occurrences. He pointed out that over the last decade, parents seem to have become less aware of their children’s activities, noting that it appears their “third eye” is not functioning as it should.
Many parents believe that because they did not experience certain restrictions in their own childhood, their children should be free to live differently, but this approach is leading to negative outcomes. Sharma emphasised that while parents aim to protect their children, a lack of communication between parents and their children has become increasingly concerning, he said.“To avoid similar incidents in the future, parents must keep a close watch on their children’s activities, build friendships with them and enhance their understanding through improved communication. Parents should strive to connect with their children from an early age on to discuss the differences between good and bad behaviour. This proactive approach will likely help reduce the occurrence of such incidents,” he said.
