Punishment a problematic matter

THE ‘an eye for an eye (and a tooth for a tooth)’ approach will soon become a standard form of compensation in our society.
The principal meaning is that if you believe someone does something wrong, that person should be punished by having the same thing done to them.
A biblical perspective is fixed in the principle of revenge: punishment is deserved in proportion to the seriousness of an offence.
Our ancestors have taught us to treat others as we would like to be treated, as well as the justice system. It is unfair to commit a crime without a consequence. Therefore the term an eye for an eye, if you choose to steal something you will be required to deal with the consequence. It is the only way to teach and learn lessons.
In softer interpretations, it means the victim receives the [estimated] value of the injury in compensation. The intent behind the principle was to restrict compensation to the value of the loss.
But today in society, it is like, you slap me, I return with my relatives or friends and we bash you, even to the extent of sending one to the hospital.
One soldier is dead and more than 10 houses and properties destroyed in retaliation from a traffic accident in Port Moresby on Saturday night.
Police reports alleged the incident involved drunk soldier’s bystanders on a road side, a soldier was stabbed and later died at the hospital.
Soldiers returned and burned down seven houses and tucker shops around the area closer to Murray Barracks.
Also in Port Moresby, at Morata, two people are dead, three houses burnt and a gun was confiscated after police rounded two warring provincial groups at Morata settlement in Port Moresby on Saturday.
Police say over 100 men (settlers) from Goroka and Wabag fought with each other over a piece of land for gardening.
Regardless of the circumstances, Port Moresby is the capital city and such incidents does not augur well for the country.
The developments in the city is an indication that we have moved into the modern technology which also demands a high level of respect with integrity.
We have come off the primitive and by now should lean towards allowing the law to take its course and let those who wrong feel the full brunt of it.
The incident involving soldiers only drags the reputation of not PNG Defence Force but all disciplined forces further into the mud.
Police brutality incidents occur regularly in Port Moresby, Lae and other major centres. The military have had their fair share of trouble involving rogue soldiers.
In all these incidents, the victims are ordinary folks who get caught up by the wrong arm of the law.
The Police and Defence hierarchies have been trying to clean up their acts with little or no success as rogue cops and soldiers continue to prey on crime suspects and even innocent people.
Indiscipline will remain a contentious issue until both forces effectively deal with it.
Punishment is a universal phenomenon. No human society confronted with violations of its laws or customs leaves itself powerless to impose sanctions.
For all this accrued experience of dealing with offenders, punishment remains a problematic matter under constant debate.