September 15, 2025
THIMPHU – The children in conflict with the law (CICL) is on the rise, with 106 incidents reported across the country in the first half of this year, an increase from the 67 cases reported during the same period last year.
The Royal Bhutan Police’s (RBP) half-yearly evaluation attributed the increase to growing public and police engagement and awareness among the youths. Sixty cases were reported in 2023.
Offences include assault, vandalism, and substance abuse, largely occurring during school vacations, despite increased awareness efforts by police and stakeholders. Deputy Chief of Police, Colonel Passang Dorji of the Crime and Operations Division said that the increase in reported cases were following the awareness campaigns and police youth friendship programmes over the years.
“The reporting of CICL has increased following various initiatives and joint awareness programmes conducted by police and other agencies,” he said. “Police received the least CICL cases this summer.”
During awareness programmes, students have provided feedback to police, saying they were unaware of certain rules, penalties, and reporting processes.
According to Colonel Passang Dorji, this lack of awareness highlights the need for a multi-pronged approach, adding that all agencies, including civil society organisations, parents, schools, and local governments, have a role to play.
He said that a standard operating procedure has been shared across all police divisions, mandating random checks on youth groups during school holidays, aimed at assisting the ones with substance use disorders.
Colonel Passang Dorji said that while the public and youth support for these measures has been positive, there are still challenges. He pointed out that solvents such as dendrite, thinner, correction fluids, and paints are most common among students, and their easy availability in the market is a major issue that the police have been unable to address.
According to the RBP’s Statistical Yearbook 2024, a total of 316 minors were arrested for substance abuse offences last year.
In the first half of this year, police reported a total of 1,247 criminal cases.
Last year, the five most commonly reported incidents were battery, larceny, illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, burglary, and deceptive practice.
Of the country’s 42 police stations, the Narcotic Drugs and Other Vices Division recorded the highest number of cases at 40, followed by Gelephu with 15 and Thimphu with 13, this year.
The country’s criminal cases rose from 2,926 in 2013 to 4,081 in 2017. However, the number of incidents dropped to 2,476 in 2024, which included 1,492 cases of substance abuse
Cyber crime
The police report also recorded the prevalence of cyber crime, with 67 cases, despite ongoing digital awareness campaigns by tech companies.
According to police records, cyber criminals using multiple fake accounts are manipulating victims’ data to scam people. Police officials also said that “deep fake” issues are becoming common among school students as artificial intelligence (AI) applications and websites gain popularity.
Colonel Passang Dorji said that students with better ICT knowledge are sometimes unintentionally falling victim to these crimes while making fun with AI applications.
“Several children have been caught in such crimes; awareness is a must for these young students,” he said.
Colonel Passang Dorji said that parental monitoring is crucial to regulate children’s use of electronic gadgets and the websites they visit.
The RBP’s Vision 2030 for Future Ready Policing includes youth partnerships and community engagement as a core pillar.
Crime in the country, including offenses committed by children, is regulated by several key laws: the Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Substance Abuse Act of 2015, the Child Care and Protection Act of Bhutan of 2011, and the Information, Communication and Media Act of Bhutan of 2018.