Violence and Organized crime in the Terai region and Kathmandu

IDS (Institute of Development Studies):

Expert Round-Table on  Violence and Organized crime in the Terai region and KathmanduValley:

Himalaya Hotel:  Kathmandu, 26^th 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.

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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.