The law on the elimination of banditry and Republic period banditry events (1923-1938)

After the Second Constitutional Monarchy, the generel amnesty issued in the Otoman Empire caused the increase of banditry incidents. This situation has increased the domination of the bandits over the people who have been suffering from banditry for centuries. In addition, with the participation of the Otoman empire in the First World War, the problem of deserters increased. The fact that deserters joined the bandit groups, which were active in Anatolia, made it even more difficult to solve this problem. After the loss of First World War, with the occupation on the Otoman lands, a complete turmoil prevailed in Anatolia. The newly established Republic of Turkey had to abolish banditry in order to maintain its central authority. Therefore, some precautions have been taken. One of these measures is the Law on the Elimination of Banditry. With this law, the authority given by the state to its citizens to prevent banditry has also caused many discussions. According to the authority given by this law, the murder of a person whose banditry has been disclosed is not considered a crime. On the contrary, it was deemed appropriate to give a cash reward to the person who killed the bandit. While Turkey was fighting aganist bandits with its gendarmes, it also gave its citizens powers. In this wat, citizens became partners in solving the problem of banditry. Banditry events in the Republic of Turkey also affected foreign policy. Bandits who violated the border raided Turkish villages. While Turkey was trying to ensure the security within itself, it also took initiatives fort he dangers coming from otuside. Banditry incidents were seen all over the country. Banditry was more intense in regions where the central authority was less. The most common actions used by bandits are raiding villages and blocking roads. Apart from this, there were mant clashes between bandit gangs and gendarmerie units as a result of these conflicts, many bandit groups were terminated.