By Yiep Joseph
South Sudan National police services (SSNPS), has denied claims of recruiting and transferring suspected gang members to Nasir County of Upper Nile state.
About 600 suspected gang members were arrested by security in ongoing swoop. But social media pundits have stirred public outcry, claiming some of the suspects have been airlifted to conflict-affect Nasir County of Upper Nile state.
Acting upon the public outcry, Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), has issued a press statement to the effect.
The allegations have left Ter Manyang, Executive Director of the civic society organization in outburst.
“CPA has received disturbing reports that some of the arrested youths have been forcibly conscripted and deployed to frontline areas in Nasir, Upper Nile region, following the crackdown in Juba,” Manyang said in a statement.
However, Police spokesperson, Maj. Gen. James Monday Enoka termed it as a baseless allegation.
“Those accusations are baseless and illogical; they do not make sense,” Monday refuted.
The police mouthpiece maintained that there are about four recruitment drives for police and other security organs, not requiring people with criminal records.
“Recruitment in those security organs, including the police, is based on certain criteria not anyhow” Maj. Gen. Monday stated.
Maj. Gen. Monday wondered how members of suspected criminal gang would be recruited into security forces which uphold discipline.
“How about taking green persons and giving them arms, also with the position of having a criminal background? How do you expect them to be behave!” he exclaimed.
The spokesperson added that recruitment and deployment within the police as well as in organized forces in general is guided by the law.
He urged members of the public, never to listen to propaganda, citing that the crack-down on gang members is intentionally meant to keep law and order.
Maj. Gen. Monday revealed that as arrests of members of suspected criminal gang continues, the police have received calls from the public, appreciating the efforts, as most areas are freed from gang-related crimes.
“I am getting through the media, members of the public are appreciating the police they are saying we are doing the right thing by cracking down on gangs, and I am happy to hear that,” he said.
He expressed that once the suspected gang members are arrested, they undergo investigation, at a point, some of them with no criminal offense are released.
The police urge parents to help security forces during the crackdown, noting that most children leave their houses well equipped with pangas.
“Parents have the responsibility; our children get pangas and go out with them. Please tell them to drop the pangas,” he said.
Monday also urged members of the public to report any criminal activity to the nearest police station.
He appealed to parents whose children are arrested, to stay calm, adding that the crackdown, is guided by the law.
The police revealed that the exercise, which was meant for one week, will be reviewed in order for the authorities to plan whether to extend it.