THE annual administrative report of the Home Department, Government of Nagaland indicates 1862 cases of crime that was reported in the state under the IPC and other Special Acts with a total arrest of 1938 during the year 2015. Interestingly the Superintendent of Police Kohima confirmed that the district recorded 126 cases of crime committed by women during 2014-15. The crimes range from petty thefts to as heinous as murders. Social activist Niketu Iralu rightly attributed the rise in crime rate as seen in other societies as due to the responses of the challenges brought about by the changes in the society. He added that the Naga society that was undisturbed for centuries, is now feeling the now the changes occurring in the world. Then comes the examples set by role models in the society who practices corrupt and unprincipled ways to achieve success.
With changing times, crime rate increases as it is the case around the world and the concept of “All men are born equal” is misconstrued one too often. Many psychologist, social thinkers and scientist argue that the term is misinterpreted. It primarily just means all men are equal before the law and not related to health, strength, wealth, likeness etc. However the thoughts of ‘why only them and not us?’, ‘why only me?’ comes to every individual at certain point of time which, added with poverty and greed, leads to commission of crime.
The term ‘Nagas were honest and truthful’ is heard one too often from the mouth of our leaders and preachers. But along with the changing times it has become more like a phrase to control the weak and the poor because it is felt that neither our traditional justice system nor the modern one is equal to all people at present. Our traditional system over the years has slowly become immune for the rich and the influential. It is slowly becoming the justice system just to control the poor. On the other hand the modern justice system is felt to be only for the rich and the mighty. There cannot be an immediate panacea but it is time to retrospect and make amends. With the increasing crime rate not only of crime committed by men but also the rise in crime committed by women, including murder, it is matter of concern for our lawmakers. A society where the common people feel that their leaders and lawmakers are above the law is a tinderbox waiting for the match.