Editorial»
Crime and politics
DEC 30 - The gang fight that took place on the eve of Christmas at a five star hotel in Kathmandu cannot be dismissed simply as rivalry
between two ruffian groups. The event proved the fact that mafia groups have become dangerously active in the capital city, and they are taking the law in their hands. Even more alarming was the disclosure of the involvement of politics in crime. The illicit nexus between politics and crime is very dangerous for a country that is already burdened with a horde of problems, relating to insurgency, corruption and bad governance. Unfortunately, the police and administration are hardly capable enough to control the spread of this evil.
The rivalry between criminal kingpins Milan Gurung alias Chakre Milan and Deepak Manange that led to attempt on life of the former is just one more episode in a series of such gang fights in the city. About a year ago, an owner of a disco, Rakesh Limbu, was hacked to death by his rival Raju Gorkhali. Earlier, Chakre Milan grossly mistreated King’s son-in-law Dr Rajeev Shahi. Besides, several such incidents have gone unreported. The gang fights and rivalry germinate generally out of clashing business interests. These con men, involved in forcefully getting government contracts to the party of their interests, are also involved in kidnapping, extortion, and all kinds of illegal activities, including drug pedalling and smuggling.
The backing provided by the political parties to the mafia groups makes the situation more perilous. Milan Chakre has been reportedly enjoying blessings from the UML, while Deepak Manange from Rastriya Prajatantra Party. Even the Nepali Congress is not far behind in such acts. The stories of using con men in making and breaking coalition governments are reminders of how politics has been criminalised. Once the con men get political protection, they become invincible and take gratification in breaking the law. The perils of politicization of crime are evident in Mumbai, India, where gangsters have say in engineering the making or breaking of the state government. We should take lessons from India if we are to prevent ourselves from reaching such a state.
It is a bitter truth that police is simply inept in dealing with mafia groups, because the mafia dons allegedly play key roles in transfers and promotions of the officers who are in-charge of the areas where they operate. It is high time the government and the political parties found a way out of criminalisation of politics. The police, administration and other government institutions should take timely, stern action against the criminals, and prevent syndicated crimes. The media should also understand their role in enforcing the rule of law, before the situation goes out of control.Posted on: 2003-12-31 05:04
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