Is it not enough for this government?

The current crime situation across New Zealand and Auckland in particular is a sign of a complete failure of the government machinery in maintaining law and order in the country. The brazen acts of crimes taking place day in, day out without any fear of law or police have sent a wave of shock and fear among the common man in New Zealand. Even the incessant deaths of innocent, hardworking and law-abiding migrant community people can’t shudder this government. Ministers and the Police officials are happy issuing statements and showing sympathy towards victims after every heinous crime, but the crime spree continues unbated.

So, what is main reason behind this government’s failure to check these crimes? Is this government too scared to touch the gangs who are behind the countrywide ramraids, robberies and burglaries? Why despite of complete lawlessness for almost 4 years now, government is not willing to introduce harsher punishments and longer jail terms for repeat offenders. Why offenders are not apprehended in time after they commit a crime which gives them opportunity to reoffend! Why if some of these criminals are ever caught, the champions of human rights within or outside the government come in support of the criminals? Are there any humans’ rights for the victims of crimes in this country? Perhaps the people in the power today are in a deep slumber and only focussing on the election in 2023 by not taking any actions against the criminals. Does this government want to keep a certain vote bank to remain intact by not acting against criminals? The answer to all the above questions is ‘yes’ and this government sympathises more with the criminals than the victims of these crimes.

Just think of a normal day in Auckland that starts with an eagle helicopter flying over your head every day, several times in a day and police cars speeding in the streets with blaring sirens. This has now become a routine matter in the biggest city of New Zealand and even in smaller towns of the country. Why the criminals have no fear of police, why there is no deterrent to put a check on these criminals? The fact remains that this government is too soft on criminals and has no intent to bring any harsher penalties to stop the crimes. We have come across many members of the migrant community from south Asian countries during recent protest marches in Auckland. Invariably all of them have to say that this kind of lawlessness that prevails in New Zealand, is not seen even in the war-torn countries or in the so called third world countries. Criminals there always have a fear of law and the state in all these countries but not in New Zealand.

If government does not get tough on criminals soon New Zealand is at the risk of losing thousands of migrants to other countries and this exodus is already on. Exodus of migrants will be worst thing to happen to this country since they do a significant contribution to country’s economy. Providing basic safety and security to its citizen is the primary responsibility of a government which unfortunately New Zealand government has miserably failed to. One criminal incident is bad enough to leave permanent scar and fear in victim’s psych but alas, in New Zealand it’s happening every day, several times in a day uninterrupted. Its time government takes some tough stand against this menace before the criminals take over this country.

-Yugal Parashar

· 

.