Get tough with law-breakers, big or small!

The government is on record that it would not be tolerating lawlessness and this is a matter for some relief. Given the disconcerting proportions to which lawlessness has risen in recent times, the so-called ordinary citizen expects the government to be unrelenting in its pursuit of law-breakers, both big and small. We urge the state to be extra sensitive to this call to get tough with criminality, regardless of from where it emanates.

One aspect of the current crime wave which must have the state worried is the increasing tendency for politicians and those holding public office to be at the centre of the perpetration of these criminal acts. For instance, two UPFA local level politicians of the South are currently under arrest on rape charges. The victims are girl-children and this multiplies the sense of outrage crimes of this kind provoke among the citizenry, and very rightly so.

Although it veritably amounts to bolting the barn door after the horse has bolted, one could be glad that the state is now paying attention to the police records, if any, of those whom it wishes to nominate to run for election at the forthcoming Provincial Council polls on the UPFA ticket.

It would be serving the best interests of the public for the state to ensure that none with criminal records ever get the opportunity of running for public office. We would go to the extent of saying no one even remotely associated with wrong-doing and scandals of any kind should be tolerated within their folds by the political parties of this country. Throw them out, we urge the authorities and party managers!

Denying criminal elements the opportunity of running for election is, however, only one step towards decriminalizing politics. What must be also considered deeply is the nature of power itself. It is quite possible for a person who has been perfectly law-abiding before assuming public office, to turn into a law-breaker of the most revolting kind once he or she gets a taste of power.

The vainglorious trappings and allurements that come with some positions of authority could pervert weaker minds and make them prone to power abuse. This is a consideration that all sections that are concerned with the law and order situation of this country need to focus on. It is perhaps timely to reflect on the profoundly insightful pronouncement that ‘Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.’

Accordingly, while all relevant precautions need to be taken to ensure that criminals do not run for office, it is equally vital to place curbs on the exercising of power. This is an important dimension in the curbing of power abuse and crime-containment that has gone unaddressed. We hope this issue would be addressed in a major and forthright way.

While the process of decriminalizing politics should be proceeded with, the depoliticizing of law-enforcement should receive equal attention. We have very able law enforcers but they should be given every opportunity to function without let or hindrance. Hopefully, such interference is not as great as made out by some, but this aspect of law enforcement too must be focused on for the greater public good.

We cannot escape the impression that the public is not sufficiently sensitive to some of the issues just raised. The public, we feel, must be up and about on these and other matters. They must not only cooperate with the state and law enforcers in curbing crime but demand a better deal from the authorities on these questions. Besides, they must help in the task of humanizing the body-politic.