Stabilizing the Criminogenic Situation in Mahallas: The Experience of Uzbekistan and India
Annotation / Abstract
Abstract. This article analyzes the reforms implemented in the Republic of Uzbekistan aimed at stabilizing the criminogenic situation in mahallas, systemic changes, and aspects related to increasing the role of the mahalla institution in this direction. Also, the article examines the problems of stabilizing the criminogenic situation in the "mahallas" or neighborhoods of India from the perspective of community governance, local self-help institutions, and restorative practices. It explores how local governance mechanisms (mahalla forums, Gram Sabha, community policing, traditional village councils like Kebang in Arunachal Pradesh) intervene in criminogenic processes (poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, family disputes, social exclusion).
Full text
On August 18, 2025, the Resolution "On introducing amendments and additions to certain decisions of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan aimed at further increasing the effectiveness of the system of early prevention of crime in mahallas" [6] was adopted.
The resolution approved the concept of targeted measures for preventing crimes in mahallas with a complex criminogenic situation. The main goal of the Concept is to stabilize the criminogenic situation and create a safe environment in mahallas by combining special organizational-preventive measures and targeted measures with scientific-practical approaches.
With the instruction on classifying mahallas based on their criminogenic situation and organizing cooperative preventive measures, approved by the decision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the General Prosecutor's Office, the National Guard, the Mahalla Association, and the Tax Committee dated August 8, 2025, the types of preventable crimes committed in the mahalla territory envisaged in 47 articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan were determined.
Criteria for dividing mahallas into "red," "yellow," and "green" categories based on their criminogenic situation were developed and introduced into practice. According to it:
References
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