Addressing the root causes in Maan

The riots that erupted in Maan last week disrupting law and order in this southern city have been attributed to some outlaws roaming the area determined to take the law in their hands to vent their anger and frustration.

The minister of interior visited this troubled city and engaged its dignitaries in an exchange of ideas on how to prevent the recurrence of such unrest.

The establishment of the so-called Reform and Reconciliation Committee to look deeper into the reasons Maan has been a fertile location for outlaws for such a long time is a welcome move.

Still, the RRC has put the blame for lawlessness in Maan not only on the few outlaws but also on the widespread poverty and unemployment in this region.

Poverty and unemployment invariably cause some to break the law. That is an established fact, in Jordan and everywhere else on the globe.

Poverty and lawlessness are often in a causal relation and addressing the former often solves the latter.

The RRC pointed the finger to the chronic poverty and unemployment in Maan, showing these to be the principal motives for some to take the law in their hands.

As such, the government, at regional and national levels, must tackle these issues with a view to improving the situation, in Maan as well as the rest of the governorates.

His Majesty King Abdullah has repeatedly called for equitable regional development and recommended the adoption of regional development plans to combat poverty and unemployment.

At the same time, the chronic unruly manifestations in Maan should give food for thought.

There is poverty and unemployment in other regions of the country, yet their citizens do not resort to demonstrations.

Lawlessness, unfortunately, has been a trademark for this particular region where smuggling and use of weapons is quite widespread.

The government has to act with determination and an iron hand to put an end to law breaking in Maan.

Nobody should be above the law and no excuse should be given for illegal behaviour.

Issues that have been neglected for too long — social ills and law breaking — have to be addressed for citizens to have no excuse for unlawful conduct.