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Hacking and stabbing: Our crime scene is getting uglier by the day
Last week, a man was killed and three were seriously injured when a family of four was attacked in Tangalle by an unidentified group.
The attackers had hacked to death Nuwan Chamira Andrahennedi while three members of his family are receiving treatment at the Karapitya Hospital. The police have so far tracked the three-wheeler that was used by the suspects though no arrests have been made yet. Police say the motivation for the murder is still unclear but that the suspects have fled the area.
In another incident, a manager attached to the Timber Corporation in Rathnapura was shot and stabbed to death on his way home by a gang. According to police the victim had been shot at close range and then stabbed. Police Spokesperson Superintendent Buddhika Siriwardane declined to comment saying he had been unable to obtain an update on the incident.
Although incidence of homicide have decreased in recent years, other serious crimes, such as grievous hurt, stabbings, rape and incest have increased, according to police statistics. A Former Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Nimal Mediwaka commenting on this said that the delay in convictions and in the legal process were the main causes for this.
He added a lack of standard in the investigation process and public cooperation has resulted in an increase in the number of killings and incidents of grievous injuries to people. “Corrupt politics, society, lack of culture and education, neglected child care are the main reasons behind every criminal. Necessary parties should acknowledge this and address those in need of guidance in social conduct,” he said.
Another former DIG who declined to be named said even if police conclude an investigation successfully, indictment lies with the Attorney General’s Department which could yield to political influences under various circumstances. He also highlighted the fact that most criminals receive political patronage and protection from law enforcement authorities such as the police.
DIG Crimes I.M.Karunaratne said he was not available for comment this week while SP Buddhika Siriwardane said, “It is not possible to comment on the seriousness of grave crimes without an accurate report or study or research, but recent incidents indicate an increase in incidence.”
Prof. M.W. Jayasundara, Professor of Criminology and Head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology pointed out that grave crimes were being committed with impunity due to the wide spread lawlessness in the country. “Laws are not enforced properly and the police do not carry out their duties properly. Police now act according to politicians’ dictate. Especially in the case of Pradesheeya Saba politicians, they have taken the law into their hands. This is the main reason for the increase in the crime rate,” Prof. Jayasundara said.
He said there is also the general belief that culprits can evade conviction and manipulate law enforcement authorities to their benefit.
“Look at the current election campaign in the three provinces. There have been numerous complaints on the misuse of official vehicles for campaigning but no action has been taken. The law is broken from the highest level to the lowest, from A to Z in society. It has become a normal thing. People watch and realise that they too can get away with breaking the law,” Prof. Jayasundara elaborated.
He also said although the murder rate had seen a steady decline from 10.2 percent in 2006 to 3.45 in 2011 murders had become more gruesome in nature.
“The main reason for this is because violence has become a familiarity in society. Our society has gone through 30 years of war and death and murder had become common place. Further some sections of society have become more violent in nature, which has been displayed by the recurring nature of the killings such as repeated stabbings and hacking of persons,” the professor elaborated.
Colombo University’s Senior Professor of Sociology Prof. S. Hettige highlighted the larger issue of lawlessness prevalent in the country.
“This is a reflection of the current crisis in the judiciary and its ineffectiveness. Our country has one of the lowest conviction rates, which is 5 percent. The increase observed in the grave crimes is the tip of the iceberg. This reflects how delivery of justice has failed,” he stated.
Prof. Hettige also added that the ineffectiveness of expert bodies, law enforcement bodies and general breakdown in law and order have resulted in the citizens acting on their own accord to find solutions to disputes they face. “Sometimes people do not like to get involved in the legal process as it is ineffective so they try to finish it off as they see fit,” he said pointing out to a dangerous trend.
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