The State’s reassuring overture

It is likely to be greatly appreciated that President Mahinda Rajapaksa is reaching out to the communities of the land in his efforts to strengthen law and order. He has, for instance, met with sections of the business community and had consultations on ways of ending abductions and other forms of lawlessness which seem to be targeting some Tamil and Muslim businessmen.

Calling on the business community to cooperate with the State on ending these abductions and instances of extortion, the President brushed aside the notion that the State needs such ill-gotten gains. “Trust us and provide us the required information sans fear,” the President is quoted as telling the businessmen.

While it goes without saying that the State would not be sparing any pains to protect all sections of the public, cooperation by the public in law-enforcement is vital too in the crucial task of stamping out crime.

There is understandable fear and anxiety among some sections of the affected public on volunteering information which could lead to the arrest of criminal elements behind the current abductions and connected offences but the indications are that the State is also currently strengthening its law and order machinery.

Police patrols, for instance, are being intensified and communication links between the law enforcers and the public expanded. In other words, no quarter would be given to criminal elements.

Under these circumstances, the providing of information on crime to the authorities would not prove hazardous. All that is required is a systematic and organised effort on the part of the affected sections to keep the authorities informed.

As the President has pointed out, there are 18 Muslim Ministers, two Governors and two advisors in his administration. The services of these personnel could be availed by the affected sections of the Muslim community to keep the State’s law and order machinery in fine trim in regard to the arresting of the crime wave. The State functionaries could perhaps coordinate and regulate State-public cooperation in stemming crime.

Apart from what the public could contribute towards containing crime, it is plainly evident that the State does not intend to adopt a low-profile in tackling the crisis. What is of significance in this context is that the Head of State and Government is reaching out to the affected sections, thus assuring them of the State’s support in their hour of need. This is a very commendable move on the part of the State.

The principal conflicts in our land are identity-based. That is, they are bred by the impression among some that they are marginalized and victimized on account of their race, class and other forms of identity.

Given this backdrop, it is very important that the State reaches out and fends for all sections of the polity. This is a means to strengthening the State’s secular identity. It is also a chief means of containing conflicts.

Thus, the President has underlined the all-inclusive nature of the State by reaching out to those affected by the current crime wave. This spirit of accommodation must be strengthened in the days ahead.