Terrorism in Madang?

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In our bid to understand terrorism, I shared with you three guiding questions aimed at sparking a debate. We did debate, we listened to you all defending your point of views and counter arguing. 

The dialectical process of arguing and counter arguing is initiated by critical evaluation of a case or point of view.  I hope you will continue to debate in a constructive way.

For example, after listening to your peers, some of you counter argued that those who vandalized the water pump station at Panim were not terrorists. You said they did not have the capabilities like Al Qaeda or Boko Haram operatives. You disagreed strongly with the categorization by some of your peers that they were terrorists.

The definitions of terrorism shared in the chapter written by Rogers (2008) and the videos we viewed helped provided the framework for analyzing the first question. 

The first question was aimed at getting you to identify the act. After identifying, the next step was to decide whether it was an act of terror. Finally, you were all tasked to used the information from the videos and the literature by Rogers (ibid.) to determine whether the perpetrators were terrorists. 

The definition by Wardlaw (1982) cited by Rogers (2008) influenced some of us to label the vandals as terrorists. They used force to damage the water pumps and electric cables. They were acting in opposition to established authority and to those who mistreated them. Their action created extreme anxiety and fear among all residents of Madang town rather then the perpetrators who harassed them or their relatives at Handy Mart. 

The vandals who instituted the act of terror were successful in influencing political outcomes and gained public attention. Their political demands were met because now the talk is about 'eviction'. 

The Governor for Madang said due process must be followed because the settler population is composed of people who came recently, and those who have been living in Madang for a long time. Thus, the question: is eviction a solution?

The definition from the US Department of State (2001) cited by Rogers (2008) also helps us to argue that the attack on the water pump station was premeditated and socially motivated. This definition confirms that the act was an act of terror.

Furthermore, the PNG Internal Security Act 1993 defines terrorism as: 

"the use of violence for political ends or any use of violence for the purpose of putting the public or any section of the public in fear."

As someone classed under 'public', I was in fear. I was worried about my family and did not focus on my job. I was out of the office looking for money to buy a small water tank. After I installed the water tank, bought from Plumb Trade, I felt the issue of drinking water was addressed.

We will continue our debate next Monday. Please continue to read the chapter by Rogers (2008) on terrorism and the other required readings.

Reference
Rogers, P. (2008). Terrorism. In P. D. Williams (Ed.), Security studies: an introduction (pp. 171-184). New York: Routledge.

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