Political touches behind gang wars
| DATE: 2007-12-08 | PRINT | Share
MALE, December 8, 2007 (Haveeru News Service) -- At the time of soccer World Cup and during elections, young gangs are seen to be very active. They set up hangouts with the financial blessings of politicians who seek influence and power.
To see how much political clout these gangs enjoy, one has to only look at the recent case of the team which won the baibala (a form of kababi) and got permission to block a whole street to mark their celebrations. The Home Ministry does not give such permission but it seems that orders from somewhere from a very influential level came and the baibala team was able to enjoy the festivities on the road they blocked.
Ali Ishar became the most recent victim of gang violence just two or three years since another youth was killed near the Sinamale flats.
But what is more interesting is Police behaviour. Police said that 26 people had been taken into custody following Ishar’s murder. Police also said that one person had been taken into custody following an incident just two days after Ishar’s killing; in the incident a person had been assaulted with a box cutter.
Police at first would not even identify the suspects and it was only after three days of the attack that the Police identified at least four of the suspects.
Is Police hiding their identities because if they do people will recognise the offenders who are let free to roam armed around Male and create more unrest? It is an established fact that the most effective weapon by which a government can control the minds of its citizens are through the creation of fear and insecurity. The Government seems to have made a remarkable feat in this regard.
It is also questionable why gang members still have in their possession daggers, swords and spears. Even recently Police came across equipment at a house which could be used to make petrol bombs.
But the fact is that the public sees only a few offenders sent to trial although the Government media proudly states all kinds of Police records on the offenders which only serves to increase the discontent of the public who are bewildered why these offenders with long lists of criminal records are roaming free around Male with the opportunity to incur more terror.
There was one case where Police sent to the Attorney General’s Office -- a case of obstruction of justice. However, the AG’s Office says that no progress has been made on the case because Police witnesses who are required to give their testimony have failed to turn up for any hearings. What could this mean?
The suspect’s names still appears on the ‘wanted list’ which Police has publicised, meaning that he is still at large. But the case can be continued in absentia if Police witnesses turn up for the hearings.
We already have our hands full as a country which is trying to fight an escalating war against heroin abuse, so let’s not make matters more complicated by paying street gangs to create street violence which destroys human life and property.
The reason why I suspect that Police has a hand behind the street violence is because Police has constantly failed to address the issue swiftly and appropriately.
It is not only North Ari atoll Himandhoo where terrorism acts recently occurred. Weapon-wielding youths who inflict injury on rival gangs are not a lesser terror. We should start dealing with the problem with equal gravity.
| DATE: 2007-12-08 | PRINT | Share
By Ahmed Zahir
MALE, December 8, 2007 (Haveeru News Service) -- At the time of soccer World Cup and during elections, young gangs are seen to be very active. They set up hangouts with the financial blessings of politicians who seek influence and power.
To see how much political clout these gangs enjoy, one has to only look at the recent case of the team which won the baibala (a form of kababi) and got permission to block a whole street to mark their celebrations. The Home Ministry does not give such permission but it seems that orders from somewhere from a very influential level came and the baibala team was able to enjoy the festivities on the road they blocked.
Ali Ishar became the most recent victim of gang violence just two or three years since another youth was killed near the Sinamale flats.
But what is more interesting is Police behaviour. Police said that 26 people had been taken into custody following Ishar’s murder. Police also said that one person had been taken into custody following an incident just two days after Ishar’s killing; in the incident a person had been assaulted with a box cutter.
Police at first would not even identify the suspects and it was only after three days of the attack that the Police identified at least four of the suspects.
Is Police hiding their identities because if they do people will recognise the offenders who are let free to roam armed around Male and create more unrest? It is an established fact that the most effective weapon by which a government can control the minds of its citizens are through the creation of fear and insecurity. The Government seems to have made a remarkable feat in this regard.
It is also questionable why gang members still have in their possession daggers, swords and spears. Even recently Police came across equipment at a house which could be used to make petrol bombs.
But the fact is that the public sees only a few offenders sent to trial although the Government media proudly states all kinds of Police records on the offenders which only serves to increase the discontent of the public who are bewildered why these offenders with long lists of criminal records are roaming free around Male with the opportunity to incur more terror.
There was one case where Police sent to the Attorney General’s Office -- a case of obstruction of justice. However, the AG’s Office says that no progress has been made on the case because Police witnesses who are required to give their testimony have failed to turn up for any hearings. What could this mean?
The suspect’s names still appears on the ‘wanted list’ which Police has publicised, meaning that he is still at large. But the case can be continued in absentia if Police witnesses turn up for the hearings.
We already have our hands full as a country which is trying to fight an escalating war against heroin abuse, so let’s not make matters more complicated by paying street gangs to create street violence which destroys human life and property.
The reason why I suspect that Police has a hand behind the street violence is because Police has constantly failed to address the issue swiftly and appropriately.
It is not only North Ari atoll Himandhoo where terrorism acts recently occurred. Weapon-wielding youths who inflict injury on rival gangs are not a lesser terror. We should start dealing with the problem with equal gravity.
On Opinion
Asian Growth Rebounds – Must Now Focus on Broader Development Goals- OPINION: The obligations of leadership
- Fourth power amid a crossroad
- The Great Yellow-Blue Divide
- What happened to the President's 300-million-dollar promise?
- "See what your friends have done"
- Meaningful Ribbons
- Where does Police stand when it comes to controlling gang wars?
- Political touches behind gang wars
- Legal compensation only for some?