Unity State police declare war with criminal gangs
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
December 22, 2011 (BENTIU) – Over 170 suspected members of criminal gangs were arrested by police in Bentiu, the capital of Unity State on Wednesday. Government officials said most suspects were between 16 and 18 years old. Around 20 of those arrested are members of South Sudan’s police or army, authorities say.
“Christmas of this year shall not be done peacefully”, the posters said.
On Wednesday and Thursday police responded by cracking down on gang members in Rubkotna and Bentiu arrested 174 young men had been arrested from the markets, hidden video sex shows, drinking bars, gambling dens and other places.
Brig. Gen. Juol BudBud the deputy chief of police commissioner of Unity said that a curfew had been imposed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in order to carry out the arrests.
The suspected gang members will be investigated he said.
“I have told them, [I] will never have peace with you until you respect the law and order”, said Budbud, adding that he would continue arresting gang members until their behaviour improves.
Budbud urged all parents to advise their children not to violate the laws of South Sudan, which became independent in July.
Peter Dak Khan MP from the Unity State assembly said last week the State Ministry of Local government and Law enforcement sees the activities of gangs within the town as a big threat to the community.
“It is true that youths change from generation to generation but it is right to behave the way they want, but it is not good to violate the right of the others,” the MP said.
Khan said he had heard and witnessed “some youths are carrying harmful weapons” such as knifes and guns.
Many MPs have condemned the gangs’ activities within Bentiu town, where earlier this month two people were killed by suspected gang members.
Simon Gatluak Pech Dak MP joined the calls for gang activities to be clamped down on. Dak said that gang members were also responsible to sexual harrassment and violence.
The groups have also been accused of being responsible for stealing from people’s houses.
Police estimate that there are around 1,000 criminal gang members in Unity state.
(ST)