Let government pay the ransom

THE EDITOR: It is painfully unbearable to hear the cry of a father apologising to his son. Why is he apologising? He knows he cannot raise the ransom demanded by these “money hungry servants of Satan” (there is no other way to describe them). The government has a responsibility (government ministers take an oath of office to that effect) to protect the citizenry. The first duty of government is ensure that there is “law and order” in society. When there is law and order in society everything else will rise. When anarchy takes over then the government has failed to “bare the sword” and ensure justice is served.

There is no excuse and there can be no excuse when the government fails the citizenry. It must assume the mantle of responsibility for all citizens, impartially and honourably. This brings me to the question of ransom. Millions of dollars have been paid by citizens thus far because of the failure of the guardians of the law to catch and stop the criminals. It is a failure that has been sadly etched in the minds of every kidnapped victim. They forever carry the traumatic memory of the kidnapping perhaps to an early grave, along with their loved ones. Kidnapping does not end the day the victim is released. It continues with sleepless nights, constant fears and a sense of hopelessness. Kidnap victims remain victims for the rest of their lives. The government must seriously consider paying these ransoms if it cannot find the criminals.

It is wrong for a kidnap victim to live through the trauma and possible death that has become the portion of too many citizens. I believe this can be stopped by a compassionate government responding quickly with a few thousand dollars in a brief case. Some may claim that this act of compassion is in fact supporting crime. To those who seem to think this way, let me ask them to first examine the statistical data; to critically evaluate the government’s response at solving this horrible crime. It has been abysmal at best. Therefore the option of assisting families in meeting the ransom demand is indeed a viable option and should not be discarded without careful consideration.

KHEM HARRINARINE
Port-of-Spain