Dr. M. Temjen Longkumer
Kohima
Crime as a problem in society has become a great concern for everyone: victim, criminals and general public alike. In the past, punishments were comparatively harsh and heavy fines were imposed/realised. Criminals were so much looked down upon by community members and was considered as a great shame. However, partly due to the active involvement of Human Rights activists, coupled with the ‘forgive and forget’ Christian principles, the scenario has changed which can have both positive as well as negative implications.
Today, we have extortion, kidnapping for ransom, murder, car theft, corruption, illegal taxes, trafficking of all kinds, etc. as a lucrative profession. Though Police personnel and law enforcement agencies are doing a commendable job in some of the criminal cases with limited resources at their disposal, they need commitment with such diehard attitude when it comes to solving various crimes and delivering justice.
Research studies by various scholars have shown that majority of criminals do not commit (economic) crime out of economic poverty (as against commonly believed factor). It is also found to be true in case of Nagaland/Naga society where we actually have a better community feelings, hospitality and help towards the needy people. Thus, some of the reasons and factors behind increasing rate of crime in our society can be given as follows.
People in general have more desire for easy money, luxury and modern lifestyles. When there is nothing wrong in striving for a luxurious life, it shouldn’t be done through illegal means. However, as a result of lack of work culture and dignity of labour being replaced by gun culture, criminals have found an easier way to professionalise their illegal means.
One of the most urgent concerns in our society today is the Naga political movement. People called it by various names (according to their convenience and satisfaction): insurgency, underground, militants or terrorists, this and that gang or camp, Naga national workers, etc. However, I also find it more convenient to call it as Indo-Naga political problem. To drive home to my point, this so called Indo-Naga problem is partly responsible for the rise in crime rate.
This is because while some few underground cadres may be directly involved for their selfish motives, the real criminals use its name to instill fear in the minds of victims and to ‘justify’ their action. It is however, worth mentioning that the Naga factional groups also at times apprehend criminals and work towards crime prevention. When ‘Governments’ of all kinds including both Naga ‘nation’ and Govt. of India are trying their level best to curb crime, it should be addressed with all seriousness at the earliest. Crime in any form should be treated as crime whether it is committed under the guise of underground factions or ‘nationalism’ or for that matter, crime committed under any circumstances. Only then, we can have a somewhat universal or general definition of crime and as such, crime can be checked to a large extent though it cannot be completely eradicated.
On another front, we have ‘tax collection’ in the name of this and that union, association, etc. Well, let’s pause for a while to really understand the real purpose of taxation. Tax is usually realized or imposed on individuals, property, or businesses, in order to utilize it (the money) for public welfare. However, how many of this so called tax collecting organizations spend for the welfare of its fellow citizens? Pardon me, if I’m wrong but to me, most of such organizations seem to be doing it just because others are doing it and that they find it the most convenient way to ‘legalise’ their activity and ‘professionalise’ their ‘livelihood’.
Through this article, I’d like to urge everyone to ponder upon and examine where have we gone wrong and that where is our society heading to and most importantly what can we do individually as well as collectively to curb or prevent various crimes in Naga society specially during this festive season.
