Indian drug smugglers, village youth gangs make Jaffna a crime-infested zone
Aresident of Point Pedro, now living overseas, who was visiting his home town on holiday was approached by a local gang which demanded money so they could have a party with friends.
The resident complained to police who then arrested the suspects despite resistance from the villagers, some of whom stoned the law enforcers.
In another instance, a family who had celebrated a marriage in Punnaliakattuwan, Jaffna, was robbed last Friday when they were asleep. The burglars are said to have made off with 37 gold sovereigns and Rs 200,000.
These are a few of the criminal incidents which have increased recently along with sword attacks and gang fights between youth groups in the north.
Jaffna District Secretary N Vethanayahan conceded that crimes are rising.
“As of now we can’t say we have been able to bring down the crimes rate,” he told the Sunday Times. “We have been discussing the security situation of the district at the weekly district civil security meetings where we noticed that people have brought some key social and criminal issues in society to our notice.’’
But residents are fearful of informing the police. They fear reprisals from suspects if and when they are released by the police or the courts.
Following a directive issued by Jaffna High Court judge Manickavasagar Illancheliyan, no bail is given to suspects in narcotics cases involving smuggling of Kerala cannabis. The Northern Province has become a transshipment hub for the narcotic.
“I am aware of instances where citizens were not willing to go to the police due to consequences they may have to face. Most suspects arrested over minor criminal activities are released on bail after being brought to court. I think our legal loopholes should be rectified to curb the crime rate in the country as a whole,” S. Thavarasa, opposition leader of the Northern Provincial Council, who took part in the district civil security meeting told the Sunday Times.
Mr Thavarasa believes, however, that anti-social activities are only isolated incidents involving youth gangs without proper organisational structure to carry