THE government's countrywide drive to arrest 'suspected troublemakers' in the wake of the recent killings of law enforcement agents and other subversive activities is giving out mixed signals. Already more than 2000 people have been arrested. While it is laudable that the government is going all out to catch alleged criminals and militants in a bid to restore security to the nation, that most of the arrested belong to members of the opposition parties, will raise questions. It is reminiscent of other similar drives in the past by whichever party has been power, during which the majority of those apprehended happened to belong to rival parties or were random passersby on the street.

If these individuals have criminal cases against them as law enforcers have stated, it begs the question: why weren't they caught before? Why wait for the situation to get so volatile before nabbing suspected criminal elements?

This is all the more concerning in the wake of the upcoming local elections as the large number of opposition men being arrested may be construed as a strategic clearing of the field and political victimisation. If that is the case, this drive will do precious little in improving the law and order in the country. It will also be detrimental to good governance.

We strongly recommend that such security drives be strictly limited to catching the real criminals who are trying to destabilise the country and not to squash political rivals.