Let’s say I am the ‘round in the chain’!!!

For once I am smiling with pride today. I want to say hats off to our Police Commissioner, Ahmed Faseeh for everything he has expressed in this article (http://www.miadhu.com.mv/news.php?id=8907).
He had the guts to come to the public and say what he has said…what I hear is a plea…with an underlying message, ‘look these are the problems, and this is how we are handling them. ..now…this is how we can handle them differently to make a difference’

Some people may say he has not said anything new, but carefully read through these lines.
I believe through this interview he has outlined some of the core issues faced with policing the nation and also expressed the serious challenges they are faced with to bring law and order to the chaotic and violent society we are now forced to live in.

1.‘a large number of criminals are living in the mainstream society……..’

Well…well…we are aware of this. Some people have been given ‘maafu’ because they were well connected or because the number of letters of pleas from the parents touched the hearts of those who were/are governing or some just keep visiting the family members, or some are just not taken to the prison because they do not have enough space in the prison.

So, what can be done??? We heard a big cry by the NGO’s recently that those who have committed sexual abuse must not be released on parole. Very good. Who else must not be released?? Has the public made an outcry about anyone else who must not be brought back to society without serving their sentences? Drug dealers, pushers, drug smugglers must not be brought back, those who have committed extreme form of violent acts , those leading gang figures etc….I think its time for the public to make an outcry about who else must not be released to mainstream society without serving their sentences.

Please make a list (let’s flood the authorities with our lists!!!!) and hand over to the concerned people. This is how ordinary citizens can assist the PC and also the rest of the nation.

2.'there is a large number of criminals sentenced for various crimes but because of the limitations of the jail and necessary facilities their sentences are not being carried out ..’

Come on now, there are several islands, several empty buildings like in Gan Addu, and if these places are not appropriate (as the human rights issues will stem up), let us …everyone in the country donate one day of our salary, the wealthy businessmen can give in just a few percentages of one days income to the concerned authorities, or let those in the construction industry all unite and build prisons for free so that we can establish law and order,,,in this country. I am sure we, the people of Maldives will donate generously to build those prisons, if those who are making our lives into living hell can be taken to the jails (proper jails where they can also be rehabilitated) and told they must serve their sentences and that’s it.

3.‘... long duration in jail are free on the move and some of them do not hesitate to commit further crimes,, They do not fear about any additional punishment or sentence that will result from indulging in more crimes…’

For someone who has lost everything what more fear can exist? Especially if they know that they can come back to society when ever they want, commit more crimes and go back to the original sentences they had any way???
We have to make sure that these people are no longer ‘free on the move’ and make them realise that they cannot be ‘free on the move’.

4.'..Similarly those convicted of minor crimes are also going for serious crimes and the situation is worrisome. Many of these lesser criminals turn into larger criminals.. .’

In the olden days I use to hear stories’ baiskalu bathi nudhilaa dhevigen jalha lee….’ And in the jail they mingle with the hardcore criminals to return as ’ criminals who have graduated to perform larger crimes….’
So what do we need to do? How about tolerating the idea of decriminalising the addicts, lets send users for immediate and compulsory detoxification and if there is no space in the rehab, lets put them in a community rehab program , lets make it compulsory for them to attend NA meeting( eh eh….lets start NA meetings in the country….first!!!) Let’s think out of the matrix for those who commit minor offenses, let’s fine them, and let’s send them for fishing (compulsory) for a period of time. Let that be the compulsory community service?????….eh….lets…think differently and not criminalise these people let's do something to prevent people who committed minor crimes to interact with hard core criminals who infest the prison.

5.’these criminals are becoming more professional and they are well aware of new ways to evade a crime….’

Yeah. First they graduate, and then they get the masters and move up the ladder to get the highest degree….. Like anything else this is the logical development of professional growth. Today, they have proved their worth, they can either break or protect, they have made themselves indispensible….they have created job opportunities for themselves….oh yes…. (I will write about this later…)
If we are ignorant of all this, these professionals will take over…like they have now.
But perhaps it’s still not too late? Perhaps our collective intelligence and deep desire to bring peace and harmony to our little paradise can be too powerful for these professionals to take over the country? Perhaps?

6.' it is important to decide the duration of parole at the time of passing the sentence on the criminal…this system also clearly tells the criminal the maximum and minimum period he has to spend in jail and he has to accept it'

I hope the new parole board is listening!!!! Please do!!!

7. ‘…fact there are criminals who must serve their jail sentences….’

YES. THEY MUST ……….THEY MUST.

8.'Police is only one round in a chain involved in the huge task of preventing and reducing crime'

Yes .and who are the other rounds in this chain??? I hope the AG is listening , the parliamentarians , the political activists, the religious scholars, the policy makers of our nation are listening. I hope the NGO’s and every responsible citizen in the society is listening.

Now just do this simple exercise to find out who else forms the rounds of this chain.

Just point your 'shahaadhai ingili' towards your desktop. What do you see? One finger towards the desktop?? Look at the thumb ..taking god above as your witness look at the other three fingers….are they not pointing towards you??