Dear Editor,
I would like to draw the attention of the all right thinking citizens to ponder on some social issues related to crime, criminality and criminalization.
These in fact are subject matters of academic aspects and require thorough deliberation in the floor of the legislative assembly as well. Here, I am just trying too evoke a sense of curiosity in the minds of your esteemed reader by bluntly pointing out some facts which I have come across as I languish here in the district jail Jully for the past two years.
While exercising my freedom of expression, I am being careful not to dwell on the subjudice matter and I hereby declare that whatever discussed here have no personal bearing.
Crime rate in the state is likely to be on the rise, I am not sure if proper research and survey has been done in this regard but I have my assessment taken from the following pointers.
Where all are not equal: laws are made by the man for good of all. But it often appears that laws exist at the behest of and for the protection of the few privileged class in the society.
The good old clichés such as “everyone is equal in the eyes of laws”, “no one is above the law” etc remain on papers. In reality, it is only the poor and the needy who get caught and who have to pay for offenses as trivial as trespassing or stealing bread or mobile phones to serious crimes such as rape and murder.
The rich and the powerful people never come in conflict with the law even as they trample upon one because they are smart and they know how to play with the law and the have connections. And when they are caught red handed, they will be out overnight on bail and somewhere settle the case outside. The jail is meant for the downtrodden people who cannot afford lawyers and who have not enough money to bribe police officers. No one seems to care what happens in the jail and that’s why the people here also don’t care much about the society.
When might is still right: we are living in an advanced age of civilization in which the rule of the law prevails and respect for life is at the core of social values. But the atmosphere here in Arunachal looks different as far as the frequency of murder, revenge, killing and physical intimidation, rioting and violence related cases are concerned. That some tribal communities in the state still take great pride in cold blooded killing is really disgusting. Barbaric customs and rituals have no place in modern society. It is a shame that muscle power should still be a major deciding factor in the state politics in this age of androids.
When prison becomes crime factory: I believe prison is an important institution which must manifest both the punitive and reformative aspects of justice. But here in this jail, in the absence of correctional and motivational measures, it is more like an infesting or breeding ground for more crimes. Those regular offenders keep coming and going as though jail is their holiday resort. To the novice, this is their training field. I am worried about these youngsters, juveniles who seem to be attracted more towards the dark side of the world. The very substance for which one gets arrested are ironically available here in plenty. I am afraid this jail is becoming more and more a criminal production centre.
Yours,
Singmayo Kapai,
District Jail, Jully