IDS (Institute of Development Studies):
Expert Round-Table on Violence and Organized crime in the Terai region and KathmanduValley:
Himalaya Hotel: Kathmandu, 26th November, 2013.
During conflict 1996 – 2006, Notice and
formal record of organized crime in rural area of Nepal was rare factor. That
was an era of Terror, crime and injustice:
Maoist used to punish petty criminals
including gamblers, money lenders and polygamy.
State was more focused on suppressing
violent activities of Maoist.
Most of the crimes went unattended by
the state which was recorded as violation of peoples' right to justice in human
rights documentation.
Structural violence and war crimes
which accounts for crime against humanity done by Maoist were not properly
recorded. The crime done by the state security forces and armed militia went
unrestricted.
Extortion was rampant act by Maoist
and their supporters. Rape was regular strategy of security forces to repress
and terrorize public mass besides indiscriminate killing, torture and disappearance.
Even Maoists were indulged in Rape, forceful recruitment in their Army and
heinous killing besides other kinds of crime.
In those days, displaced persons came
to Cities, Regional Head Quarters and the capital city Kathmandu. Mostly youths
deserted from their place to avoid forceful recruitment by Maoist.
Kids became street children. Young
girls were bound to work in Night Clubs which was a door to prostitution. Teen
agers indulged in burglary. And some of youths, deserters from Maoist army and
or Government security forces indulged in organized crime.
Peace
process and thereafter: Lack of post conflict reparation plan:
After the peace process, civil
society demanded for (DDR) Demobilization, Disarmament and Democratization of Maoist
Red Army and (SSR) Security Sector Reforms in government forces possibly with
integration of rebel army in Nepal Army.
Limited effort were invested and
priority was given towards monetary rehabilitation, professional training and
limited recruitment in the Nepal Army.
Though Maoist claimed 31 thousand
rebel army the actual number was below 19 thousand. Out of which more than 4
thousand were minors.
The militia and general peoples from
rural area were unaccounted, unnoticed.
Any provision for displaced persons'
resettlement plan was not properly drawn and implemented.
Other factors Influencing Crime and
criminal attitude:
Impact of conflict related
displacement, lack of employment, destruction of infrastructures and hopeless
political environment caused younger generations involvement in crime.
Porous border and cultural bond
between India and Nepal are like adjoining factor for criminal's hinterland.
Notorious criminals fled from Bihar after Nitish Kumar's stern action against
them. They misused provision of liberal citizenship drive run by Nepal
Government under Madhesi leader's pressure according to which any one could get
citizenship with three citizen's recommendation.
Recently we have noticed several
criminal organizations operating from each other's soil between India and
Nepal. This is the obvious outcome of Indian intelligence's involvement in
politics rather than controlling the crime and respecting cultural friendship.
I
In recent
years we have noticed 63% rises in domestic violence.
The reasons could be: Tremendous rise in complaining
due to increased awareness.
Installation of Government's
arrangement to record and redress the crime invited courage to complain. All
area police offices have women police and at the central, regional and district
police offices there are women's cell. PMO has women's special division and
hotline. VDC have women's desk. And separate budget head for projects related
with Women's Development. Awareness against violence against women has been
prime focus of civil society, media and judiciary. On account of international
law Nepal is party to international covenants.
Other pushing factor: Cultural and
structural factors.
56% of household are sending family
members for foreign employment in Middle East and South East Asian countries.
Women are looked down by culture. Husbands go to foreign countries and wives
become vulnerable.
Society still dominated by dogma.
Gender discrimination is considered as natural and purely family matter
dominated by masculine thought.
State structures related with
Security, Medical investigation and protective measures including awareness
through education and preventive strategies have lacking in knowledge and
infrastructures.
Challenges:
Political protection to the
criminals.
Cultural dogma against women. Police
and law enforcing agencies pressure for agreement under pressure from society.
Lack of opportunities to the
unemployed youths.
Agriculture at the subsistence level
whereas 65% of the population is based on agriculture.
Costly basic necessities, including
health, education.
Youth's attraction towards lavish life
due to internet, TV and media;
InTerai 3 Ms, Money, Motorbike and
Mobile.
Out of total abduction cases for
ransom more than 70% cases are from Terai.
Crime rates are on high rise in
Terai.
More than 70% cases of crime against
women are from Terai.
Cases of discrimination against Dalit
accounts for around 80% from Terai.
The aforesaid impact are seen in
Kathmandu valley as hiding place for post crime, searching place for economic
livelihood and center of political protection. Urban centers taking shape of
Hinterlands of Crimes and Criminals.
There is lack of scientific
documentation and monitoring of crime and criminal's record.
