Criminal Gangs in Mumbai City: From Actor to Network Orientation

Abstract

This paper highlights the changing nature of criminal gangs in Mumbai city. As the gangs gain in financial and muscle power, their need to use violence is replaced by ability to strike ‘deals’ and work in ‘partnership’ with people who stand to gain by the manipulation of the legal process and rules. This shift in their activities leads to a gradual shedding of their earlier manpower base – an army of boys or youth ready to use force and violence at a small fee. As this process gains pace, the gangs increasingly change from an ‘actor’ orientation to a ‘network’ orientation.

Keywords: Urbanisation and crime, criminal gangs in Mumbai city, actor to network orientation, nexus