Trinidad & Tobago
Chaguanas MP's vote surprises UNC
Port-of-Spain – A “surprised” UNC’s political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the party’s executive will determine whether disciplinary action is to be taken against Chaguanas West MP Ganga Singh, party chief whip David Lee has said.
Lee said the Opposition was taken by surprise last Friday when Singh voted in support of the PNM on the clause regarding pension hikes for former parliamentarians and judges.
Singh’s action was disappointing, since he was a chief whip under Persad-Bissessar and former political leader Basdeo Panday, Lee said. Additionally, Singh has many years of experience in this role.
“We were surprised. When he was whip just a couple years ago there would have been many times Singh made a decision, and all other Opposition members followed suit,” Lee said.
The party took a position in caucus that it would not support the Bill, Lee added.
“If Singh was so passionate about the stand that he talked about, to avoid confusion he could have left the Parliament because it was a simple majority,” said Lee.
Over the weekend, an angry Persad-Bissessar blasted the government’s “crocodile tears” and false impression that retired judges will benefit from pension hikes. She was further incensed that Singh supported the “unprincipled” and “hypocritical” move.
Said Persad-Bissessar: “I am really angry, especially when I hear [Fitzgerald] Hinds saying Singh voted against an unprincipled UNC. What principle is there in that legislation, where retired judges will not benefit from the revised pensions?”
She added: “Singh’s vote for the PNM in supporting higher pensions for MPs, et al, was openly not in line with the collective decision taken at the party’s caucus, which he did not attend. It was his personal view in support of his personal principles and ambition,” she said.
On Saturday, Singh issued a release defending his vote, saying it was done “in principle”. He also indicated he personally knows retired Parliamentarians whose lives are “difficult” because of small pensions.
Port-of-Spain – Chaguanas Chamber president Vishnu Charran and members last week indicated the visibility of Venezuelans in the area following national registration has seen around a 25 percent increase so far. Also, their labour input was being noted.
“[The Venezuelan migrants are] feeling safer now, and people are job-seeking, families out shopping. They’re mainly seeking construction and agriculture jobs and people are employing them from Couva to Carapichaima,” he said.
Additionally, “One Couva businessman in a pepper-potato farm employed 15. Unskilled Venezuelan women have been seeking housekeeping jobs. Some locals are offering jobs out of compassion, as well as due to lack of steady local labour for agriculture and construction sectors.”
However, Chamber member Billy Ali said the sentiment was a “mixed” one.
“Some Central business-people and residents are concerned about the [Venezuelans] and crime. But their presence has indeed increased the labour pool, and some businessmen wish more of them can speak English. They’re already contributing economically since we’re seeing them shopping in PriceSmart, Busy Corner, and SuperPharm… some have opened small food businesses in Endeavour, Longdenville, and Chaguanas.”
Kim Quashie, an assistant to Siparia corporation chairman Glen Ramadhar said a Cunupia farmer had employed three migrants, and four were engaged in construction work with room and board, along with salary. She said another migrant had found a job with a company, and was not earning (TT) $6,025 monthly.
According to Quashie, three former Venezuelan soldiers have also been employed by a security company, and have been seen at Pennywise in La Romain. She added a former Venezuelan college professor is working on a farm, and has been applying for teaching roles at private schools.
Another migrant is working as a mechanic in Palo Seco, Quashie said. Other migrants are now employed with construction companies, and are being paid between $200-$250 a day.
Quashie said a former Venezuelan banker is now employed in Marabella, and there have been several applications and interviews in Penal at the Subway and KFC franchises.
“[The Venezuelan migrants are] feeling safer now, and people are job-seeking, families out shopping. They’re mainly seeking construction and agriculture jobs and people are employing them from Couva to Carapichaima,” he said.
Additionally, “One Couva businessman in a pepper-potato farm employed 15. Unskilled Venezuelan women have been seeking housekeeping jobs. Some locals are offering jobs out of compassion, as well as due to lack of steady local labour for agriculture and construction sectors.”
However, Chamber member Billy Ali said the sentiment was a “mixed” one.
“Some Central business-people and residents are concerned about the [Venezuelans] and crime. But their presence has indeed increased the labour pool, and some businessmen wish more of them can speak English. They’re already contributing economically since we’re seeing them shopping in PriceSmart, Busy Corner, and SuperPharm… some have opened small food businesses in Endeavour, Longdenville, and Chaguanas.”
Kim Quashie, an assistant to Siparia corporation chairman Glen Ramadhar said a Cunupia farmer had employed three migrants, and four were engaged in construction work with room and board, along with salary. She said another migrant had found a job with a company, and was not earning (TT) $6,025 monthly.
According to Quashie, three former Venezuelan soldiers have also been employed by a security company, and have been seen at Pennywise in La Romain. She added a former Venezuelan college professor is working on a farm, and has been applying for teaching roles at private schools.
Another migrant is working as a mechanic in Palo Seco, Quashie said. Other migrants are now employed with construction companies, and are being paid between $200-$250 a day.
Quashie said a former Venezuelan banker is now employed in Marabella, and there have been several applications and interviews in Penal at the Subway and KFC franchises.
Port-of-Spain – Extradition proceedings against former FIFA vice president Jack Warner can now move forward following dismissal by three appellate court judges of a judicial review claim that challenged the US request.
However, while dismissing the claim last week, the Appeal Court stayed the magisterial proceedings for 21 days pending an application by Warner for permission to argue the case at the Privy Council.
Warner challenged the process by which the extradition proceedings against him are being carried out, and sought to quash the Authority to Proceed, which was signed in 2016 by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi. The ATP gave the magistrate the go-ahead to begin committal proceedings.
Warner also challenged the legality of the Extradition (Commonwealth and Foreign Territories) Act, and the treaty signed between this country and the US.
In their 40-page written decision, Justices of Appeal Gregory Smith, Prakash Moosai and Andre des Vignes said the extradition treaty had not been shown to lack conformity with the Act. Also, there was no merit in Warner’s case that the US order, which declared that country as a declared foreign territory, was invalid.
Both Justices held the pending extradition proceedings in respect of the appellant before the magistrate are valid, and added there was no denial of justice in the issuance of the ATP by Al-Rawi.
The US wants Warner for a series of fraud-related offences, which were allegedly committed during his tenure as vice-president of world football’s governing body FIFA. Warner surrendered to fraud squad officers on May 27, 2015, after learning of the provisional warrant, and is currently on (TT) $2.5 million bail.
Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes appeared for the AG along with Michael Quamina and Sean Julien, while Fyard Hosein, SC, Rishi Dass, Sasha Bridgemohansingh, and Anil Maraj represented Warner.
However, while dismissing the claim last week, the Appeal Court stayed the magisterial proceedings for 21 days pending an application by Warner for permission to argue the case at the Privy Council.
Warner challenged the process by which the extradition proceedings against him are being carried out, and sought to quash the Authority to Proceed, which was signed in 2016 by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi. The ATP gave the magistrate the go-ahead to begin committal proceedings.
Warner also challenged the legality of the Extradition (Commonwealth and Foreign Territories) Act, and the treaty signed between this country and the US.
In their 40-page written decision, Justices of Appeal Gregory Smith, Prakash Moosai and Andre des Vignes said the extradition treaty had not been shown to lack conformity with the Act. Also, there was no merit in Warner’s case that the US order, which declared that country as a declared foreign territory, was invalid.
Both Justices held the pending extradition proceedings in respect of the appellant before the magistrate are valid, and added there was no denial of justice in the issuance of the ATP by Al-Rawi.
The US wants Warner for a series of fraud-related offences, which were allegedly committed during his tenure as vice-president of world football’s governing body FIFA. Warner surrendered to fraud squad officers on May 27, 2015, after learning of the provisional warrant, and is currently on (TT) $2.5 million bail.
Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes appeared for the AG along with Michael Quamina and Sean Julien, while Fyard Hosein, SC, Rishi Dass, Sasha Bridgemohansingh, and Anil Maraj represented Warner.
Port-of-Spain – An amnesty began on Monday for individuals and companies that have neither paid taxes nor filed returns, and will continue until September 15.
The announcement of the amnesty was made by Finance Minister Colm Imbert in Parliament last week. While the Act for the amnesty is due to be assented to on Friday, Imbert said the Board of Inland Revenue should have started to receive returns and tax payments since Monday.
Imbert said the amnesty was an “all-embracing” and “all-covering” one meant to give taxpayers the “opportunity to clean up their system (and) pay their taxes before the introduction of the Revenue Authority”.
The amnesty addresses “individual, corporation, petroleum profits, supplementary profits, value-added, petroleum levy, green fund, business levy, hotel, insurance and a number of other taxation measures,” he said.
It also includes the waiver of interest and penalties on gambling and casino taxes, and land and building taxes.
Said Imbert: “There are a number of persons who find themselves stuck because they have not paid their land and building taxes from ten years ago. They wish to engage in the sale of a property and the mortgage institutions are insisting that they clear it. But because they didn’t pay ten years ago, there are substantial penalties and interest that have accumulated over the last ten years, so this addresses that anomaly and allows persons to avail themselves of this provision.”
Additionally, “What we’ve tried to do in this amnesty, is to cover all types of taxes and levies that are subject to interest on penalties for late payment. So we are waiving the penalty and all interest on penalties that are due and payable on outstanding taxes of virtually every type.”
Imbert said the government expects to collect (TT) $500 million in outstanding taxes during the amnesty period.
“The last tax amnesty by this administration was in 2016, and it was for a period of two and a half months, and the target at that time was $500 million. But in the two and a half months, we collected $750 million,” he said.
Imbert said that the expected $500 million in revenue will assist in offsetting shortfalls of revenue that occurred in the first quarter of the year because of depressed oil prices.
The announcement of the amnesty was made by Finance Minister Colm Imbert in Parliament last week. While the Act for the amnesty is due to be assented to on Friday, Imbert said the Board of Inland Revenue should have started to receive returns and tax payments since Monday.
Imbert said the amnesty was an “all-embracing” and “all-covering” one meant to give taxpayers the “opportunity to clean up their system (and) pay their taxes before the introduction of the Revenue Authority”.
The amnesty addresses “individual, corporation, petroleum profits, supplementary profits, value-added, petroleum levy, green fund, business levy, hotel, insurance and a number of other taxation measures,” he said.
It also includes the waiver of interest and penalties on gambling and casino taxes, and land and building taxes.
Said Imbert: “There are a number of persons who find themselves stuck because they have not paid their land and building taxes from ten years ago. They wish to engage in the sale of a property and the mortgage institutions are insisting that they clear it. But because they didn’t pay ten years ago, there are substantial penalties and interest that have accumulated over the last ten years, so this addresses that anomaly and allows persons to avail themselves of this provision.”
Additionally, “What we’ve tried to do in this amnesty, is to cover all types of taxes and levies that are subject to interest on penalties for late payment. So we are waiving the penalty and all interest on penalties that are due and payable on outstanding taxes of virtually every type.”
Imbert said the government expects to collect (TT) $500 million in outstanding taxes during the amnesty period.
“The last tax amnesty by this administration was in 2016, and it was for a period of two and a half months, and the target at that time was $500 million. But in the two and a half months, we collected $750 million,” he said.
Imbert said that the expected $500 million in revenue will assist in offsetting shortfalls of revenue that occurred in the first quarter of the year because of depressed oil prices.
Port-of-Spain – The decision by the St Augustine Private Hospital to stop providing dialysis to patients is a “callous” one, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said last week. He was responding to the hospital ceasing dialysis services to patients over the government’s non-payment of an outstanding (TT) $2 million bill.
Deyalsingh said 1,100 patients were on dialysis in Trinidad and Tobago, and it was costing the State $78 million to outsource some of these services to the private sector.
Said Deyalsingh: “The State cannot go on paying $78 million to the private sector. When there is a cash flow problem, the first thing they want to do is deny service. That is not what this government is all about. That action, in my view, was callous, and had no regard for patient care.”
Responding to a question in the Senate from UNC Senator Wade Mark, Deyalsingh said when the issue came to his attention earlier this month, he immediately issued instructions that the 37 affected patients receiving dialysis from St Augustine be reassigned to other centres.
He also complimented the other dialysis centres, saying these providers had a “philosophy is more in line with the Ministry of Health when it comes to patient care”, adding, “ [They] gleefully and willingly accepted these 37 patients, both in private dialysis centres, and in the public health care system”. He assured no patient would be affected.
Deyalsingh said in September, 2018, the St Augustine Private Hospital received five cheques totalling $1.4 million. Additionally, from October 1 to June 6, the institution received four cheques totalling $1.2 million. An outstanding $2 million would be paid in the shortest possible time, he said.
Deyalsingh said the government took a decision to strengthen its delivery of health care, including dialysis, within the Regional Health Authority system. The Couva Medical Facility, due to open in July, will be a flagship for renal care, he said. The facility also comes with a “massive dialysis centre, so that we would rely less and less on the private centre”.
Also, four other RHAs have ramped up their dialysis capabilities so that the private sector would be used less and less in the future. Noting the private centres that are currently taking up the slack in the interim period are located in San Fernando, Central, and in the North, Deyalsingh said some patients had expressed gratitude for the change in dialysis centres. Among these patients were those in South, who now do not have to commute to the St Augustine centre.
Said Deyalsingh: “There is a silver lining to all of this.”
Deyalsingh said 1,100 patients were on dialysis in Trinidad and Tobago, and it was costing the State $78 million to outsource some of these services to the private sector.
Said Deyalsingh: “The State cannot go on paying $78 million to the private sector. When there is a cash flow problem, the first thing they want to do is deny service. That is not what this government is all about. That action, in my view, was callous, and had no regard for patient care.”
Responding to a question in the Senate from UNC Senator Wade Mark, Deyalsingh said when the issue came to his attention earlier this month, he immediately issued instructions that the 37 affected patients receiving dialysis from St Augustine be reassigned to other centres.
He also complimented the other dialysis centres, saying these providers had a “philosophy is more in line with the Ministry of Health when it comes to patient care”, adding, “ [They] gleefully and willingly accepted these 37 patients, both in private dialysis centres, and in the public health care system”. He assured no patient would be affected.
Deyalsingh said in September, 2018, the St Augustine Private Hospital received five cheques totalling $1.4 million. Additionally, from October 1 to June 6, the institution received four cheques totalling $1.2 million. An outstanding $2 million would be paid in the shortest possible time, he said.
Deyalsingh said the government took a decision to strengthen its delivery of health care, including dialysis, within the Regional Health Authority system. The Couva Medical Facility, due to open in July, will be a flagship for renal care, he said. The facility also comes with a “massive dialysis centre, so that we would rely less and less on the private centre”.
Also, four other RHAs have ramped up their dialysis capabilities so that the private sector would be used less and less in the future. Noting the private centres that are currently taking up the slack in the interim period are located in San Fernando, Central, and in the North, Deyalsingh said some patients had expressed gratitude for the change in dialysis centres. Among these patients were those in South, who now do not have to commute to the St Augustine centre.
Said Deyalsingh: “There is a silver lining to all of this.”
residents, farmers
Port-of-Spain – Swarms of locusts continue to plague south Trinidad, with farmers and residents in Chatham complaining of losses to crops, gardens, and even houseplants.
According to homeowners near Ashford Trace, Belle View and Chatham Junction, the insects hatched in the Cedros forests, and have since migrated into their communities. Residents in these areas are now complaining about losses to ornamental plants, crops, and fruit trees.
One resident, Persad Beharry said he has resorted to camphor to control the locusts.
Said Beharry: “It makes no sense using insecticide. It is just too much to kill. The Locust Unit does not come when we call. They say the tractor was down the last time we called.”
He said the insects have attacked and seriously harmed his pepper plants, and his chataigne and coconut trees.
Beharry said the ministry’s use of a tractor was useless in managing the locusts, and recommended a crop duster for aerial spraying. Informed aerial spraying could also eliminate beneficial insects such as bees.
Beharry said a way must be found to control the pests before the agricultural estates in the Cedros district are lost.
Another resident, Nishe Seeraj of Ashford Trace, said it was distressing to lose her plants and trees.
“They on my zaboca tree right now. I too have called the Locust Unit, and they sprayed inside by me, but it is too much. As soon as you spray others come back,” she said.
The Ministry of Agriculture said the locusts should have been eradicated before maturing, and its teams would be hard pressed to control the insects now.
“We can kill what we have access to, but they are flying from place to place. This will go on until November. That is when they come down low, mate, and lay eggs before they die. They are at the tree levels now and they are eating out the tops of trees, especially tall fruit trees, chataigne, and mango trees. There is little we can do now,” an official said.
According to homeowners near Ashford Trace, Belle View and Chatham Junction, the insects hatched in the Cedros forests, and have since migrated into their communities. Residents in these areas are now complaining about losses to ornamental plants, crops, and fruit trees.
One resident, Persad Beharry said he has resorted to camphor to control the locusts.
Said Beharry: “It makes no sense using insecticide. It is just too much to kill. The Locust Unit does not come when we call. They say the tractor was down the last time we called.”
He said the insects have attacked and seriously harmed his pepper plants, and his chataigne and coconut trees.
Beharry said the ministry’s use of a tractor was useless in managing the locusts, and recommended a crop duster for aerial spraying. Informed aerial spraying could also eliminate beneficial insects such as bees.
Beharry said a way must be found to control the pests before the agricultural estates in the Cedros district are lost.
Another resident, Nishe Seeraj of Ashford Trace, said it was distressing to lose her plants and trees.
“They on my zaboca tree right now. I too have called the Locust Unit, and they sprayed inside by me, but it is too much. As soon as you spray others come back,” she said.
The Ministry of Agriculture said the locusts should have been eradicated before maturing, and its teams would be hard pressed to control the insects now.
“We can kill what we have access to, but they are flying from place to place. This will go on until November. That is when they come down low, mate, and lay eggs before they die. They are at the tree levels now and they are eating out the tops of trees, especially tall fruit trees, chataigne, and mango trees. There is little we can do now,” an official said.
Port-of-Spain – Attorneys for Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha leader Satnarayan Maharaj have again written to the DPP asking for a hold on a possible sedition charge until the court decides on a constitutional claim. The claim challenges the lawfulness and constitutionality of certain provisions of the Sedition Act Chapter 11.04.
The second letter was sent to the DPP on Friday requesting an undertaking no charges will be laid until Maharaj’s constitutional claim is determined by the court.
The writer of the letter, attorney Kavita Roop-Boodoo, informed the DPP if there was no response, then Maharaj and Central Broadcasting Service will approach the court for an injunction. The first letter to the DPP was sent on June 10.
Roop-Boodoo told the DPP police came to CBS’ Radio and TV Jaagriti’s offices last Thursday with another warrant, under Section 13 of the Sedition Act, and executed a second search. She said staff complied and consented to the police taking audio-video footage of April 9 and 18, although a copy of the warrant was not provided.
Following the search, Maharaj alleged the police were acting on political instructions and claimed political harassment. He did so on his Maha Sabha ‘Strikes Back’ programme, adding the searches of the station were an attack on the media.
The first letter to DPP Roger Gaspard SC also requested any charge for sedition against their client be put on hold. The request by letter was revealed when a constitutional claim filed by Maharaj came up for hearing at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain. The claim came following execution of a search warrant at the compound of the SDMS's Central Broadcasting Services Ltd, after Maharaj made statements on his programme on TV Jaagriti in April. On April 15, Maharaj claimed citizens living in Tobago were lazy, and labelled the men as rapists.
That warrant was purportedly obtained under Section 13 of the Sedition Act, which contemplates and/or suggests there may be reasonable grounds to suspect an offence created by the Sedition Act had been committed.
The second letter was sent to the DPP on Friday requesting an undertaking no charges will be laid until Maharaj’s constitutional claim is determined by the court.
The writer of the letter, attorney Kavita Roop-Boodoo, informed the DPP if there was no response, then Maharaj and Central Broadcasting Service will approach the court for an injunction. The first letter to the DPP was sent on June 10.
Roop-Boodoo told the DPP police came to CBS’ Radio and TV Jaagriti’s offices last Thursday with another warrant, under Section 13 of the Sedition Act, and executed a second search. She said staff complied and consented to the police taking audio-video footage of April 9 and 18, although a copy of the warrant was not provided.
Following the search, Maharaj alleged the police were acting on political instructions and claimed political harassment. He did so on his Maha Sabha ‘Strikes Back’ programme, adding the searches of the station were an attack on the media.
The first letter to DPP Roger Gaspard SC also requested any charge for sedition against their client be put on hold. The request by letter was revealed when a constitutional claim filed by Maharaj came up for hearing at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain. The claim came following execution of a search warrant at the compound of the SDMS's Central Broadcasting Services Ltd, after Maharaj made statements on his programme on TV Jaagriti in April. On April 15, Maharaj claimed citizens living in Tobago were lazy, and labelled the men as rapists.
That warrant was purportedly obtained under Section 13 of the Sedition Act, which contemplates and/or suggests there may be reasonable grounds to suspect an offence created by the Sedition Act had been committed.
Maharaj is challenging the constitutionality of the Sedition Act. His attorneys are claiming that the legislation, which was passed in 1920 and amended several times between 1961 and 1976, breached citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of thought and expression, freedom of the press, and freedom of association and assembly.
When the matter came up for hearing before Justice Frank Seepersad last week, Senior Counsel Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj indicated the existence of the first letter, which had been sent to the DPP, with no response.
Should the DPP refuse to fulfil the request, Lawrence-Maharaj said his client would be filing an application for a conservatory order to be granted by the court preventing the laying of a sedition charge until the determination of the substantive matter.
The Office of the Attorney General, against whom the constitutional claim was filed, was not represented at the hearing.
Maharaj has also filed a separate lawsuit against the Police Service over its failure to disclose the warrant used for the search. The Police Service has maintained the warrant was lawfully obtained and executed, but has refused to disclose it unless ordered to do so at the end of the lawsuit.
Attorneys Jagdeo Singh, Dinesh Rambally, Kiel Taklalsingh, Stefan Ramkissoon, and Rhea Khan are also representing Maharaj.
The constitutional claim will next come up for hearing on July 8.
Police returned last Thursday to Radio and TV Jaagriti to obtain tapes which may be linked to the case, with officers visiting the Tunapuna media house and a warrant was read to staff by Inspector Wayne Stanley.
Maharaj said the officers requested tapes from April 9 and April 18 broadcast.
“This is the second raid on Jaagriti radio and TV station. In the first raid, nine police officers came, this time they increased the amount to ten. We asked them to give us a copy of the warrant, and all they do was read from a piece of paper,” said Maharaj.
He said he believed the action by the police was politically motivated, adding, “This is my own personal belief, that this second raid, as the first one, was inspired by the politicians. That is, they are using the police, the politicians are using the police, to harass this media house because they perceive us to be against them.”
According to reports, officers were acting on instructions from the DPP’s office concerning the ongoing sedition investigation. Based on new information, the officers were instructed to obtain the tapes from the station.
A statement from the TTPS said a team of officers sought to retrieve new information for an ongoing inquiry into a Sedition investigation.
The execution of the warrant and subsequent search were incident free, the Police Service said.
When the matter came up for hearing before Justice Frank Seepersad last week, Senior Counsel Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj indicated the existence of the first letter, which had been sent to the DPP, with no response.
Should the DPP refuse to fulfil the request, Lawrence-Maharaj said his client would be filing an application for a conservatory order to be granted by the court preventing the laying of a sedition charge until the determination of the substantive matter.
The Office of the Attorney General, against whom the constitutional claim was filed, was not represented at the hearing.
Maharaj has also filed a separate lawsuit against the Police Service over its failure to disclose the warrant used for the search. The Police Service has maintained the warrant was lawfully obtained and executed, but has refused to disclose it unless ordered to do so at the end of the lawsuit.
Attorneys Jagdeo Singh, Dinesh Rambally, Kiel Taklalsingh, Stefan Ramkissoon, and Rhea Khan are also representing Maharaj.
The constitutional claim will next come up for hearing on July 8.
Police returned last Thursday to Radio and TV Jaagriti to obtain tapes which may be linked to the case, with officers visiting the Tunapuna media house and a warrant was read to staff by Inspector Wayne Stanley.
Maharaj said the officers requested tapes from April 9 and April 18 broadcast.
“This is the second raid on Jaagriti radio and TV station. In the first raid, nine police officers came, this time they increased the amount to ten. We asked them to give us a copy of the warrant, and all they do was read from a piece of paper,” said Maharaj.
He said he believed the action by the police was politically motivated, adding, “This is my own personal belief, that this second raid, as the first one, was inspired by the politicians. That is, they are using the police, the politicians are using the police, to harass this media house because they perceive us to be against them.”
According to reports, officers were acting on instructions from the DPP’s office concerning the ongoing sedition investigation. Based on new information, the officers were instructed to obtain the tapes from the station.
A statement from the TTPS said a team of officers sought to retrieve new information for an ongoing inquiry into a Sedition investigation.
The execution of the warrant and subsequent search were incident free, the Police Service said.
Port-of-Spain – Part of the Shree Ram Dhaam Hindu temple in Diego Martin was set on fire last week, the arsonists causing damage to a section of the building and several murtis. CCTV cameras captured three men, armed with bolt cutters and a flammable liquid, trying to break into the temple before starting the fire.
SWAHA Shree Ram Dhaam’s founder and spiritual leader, Manideo Persad, said the incident had left him saddened and confused. He said after reviewing the CCTV recording, it appeared that the suspects were aiming to set the temple on fire.
Said Persad: “Robbery I can understand, but this is confusing to me. We have individuals who came here with what appeared to be gasoline. They attempted to break in, and when they couldn't, they broke a window, threw in the gasoline, and then set the place on fire.”
The incident was heart-breaking, he said, adding, “While I cannot make a definite statement on it, it feels like something malicious. I would hate to think that this is an example of intolerance rearing its head. It is abhorrent that a temple, especially one such as this with such a presence in this community having been here for about 40 years, should be attacked this way.”
In the CCTV footage, three men are seen carrying bolt cutters and containers with a flammable substance. The men arrived at the temple around 3 am on June 10, and attempted to gain access through the front door. Failing to enter, the attackers moved to another door, but failed to cut the lock. The men then broke windows, threw in the flammable liquid and started the fire, and fled the scene.
Neighbours notified police and fire services. The fire officials contained the blaze to the ground floor, preventing it from spreading.
Said Persad: “In total, nine murtis were damaged by the fire, and several paintings. The fire was. thankfully, contained to the ground floor, and there does not appear to be any structural damage to the building. We are cleaning up and getting things back in order to re-establish and properly open the temple.”
SWAHA Shree Ram Dhaam’s founder and spiritual leader, Manideo Persad, said the incident had left him saddened and confused. He said after reviewing the CCTV recording, it appeared that the suspects were aiming to set the temple on fire.
Said Persad: “Robbery I can understand, but this is confusing to me. We have individuals who came here with what appeared to be gasoline. They attempted to break in, and when they couldn't, they broke a window, threw in the gasoline, and then set the place on fire.”
The incident was heart-breaking, he said, adding, “While I cannot make a definite statement on it, it feels like something malicious. I would hate to think that this is an example of intolerance rearing its head. It is abhorrent that a temple, especially one such as this with such a presence in this community having been here for about 40 years, should be attacked this way.”
In the CCTV footage, three men are seen carrying bolt cutters and containers with a flammable substance. The men arrived at the temple around 3 am on June 10, and attempted to gain access through the front door. Failing to enter, the attackers moved to another door, but failed to cut the lock. The men then broke windows, threw in the flammable liquid and started the fire, and fled the scene.
Neighbours notified police and fire services. The fire officials contained the blaze to the ground floor, preventing it from spreading.
Said Persad: “In total, nine murtis were damaged by the fire, and several paintings. The fire was. thankfully, contained to the ground floor, and there does not appear to be any structural damage to the building. We are cleaning up and getting things back in order to re-establish and properly open the temple.”
Port-of-Spain – Trinidad and Tobago is being invaded by migrants, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said on Friday. As a result, the impact of the Venezuelan migration would be very severe, and all aspects of society would be affected, she warned.
“Everyday more people are landing on our shores. We should lock down our borders immediately,” she said.
While migrant registration ended on Friday, Persad-Bissessar said the borders remained “wide open”, and the influx would continue.
On Friday, protesters opposed to migration applauded Persad-Bissessar when she arrived at Parliament, and booed government ministers.
Persad-Bissessar said to solve the border problem, the government needs to work with the United Nations Refugee Agency and put together a comprehensive refugee policy.
“The Prime Minister is saying right now that he doesn't want any international agencies involved, nor does he want any help from the outside. He is totally wrong. Trinidad is a very small country, and this invasion is going to impact… tremendously on all aspects of life.”
However, on Friday Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon issued the reminder saying the migration of Venezuelans to Trinidad and Tobago was a “temporary” situation.
Gopee-Scoon said the government was doing what it can to help given the present reality in Venezuela, and its registration process for Venezuelan migrants was clear. Venezuelans who do register will be able to live and work for a year. At the end of the year, the government will assess the situation.
By last Thursday, Rowley said 13,933 Venezuelans had been registered.
“Everyday more people are landing on our shores. We should lock down our borders immediately,” she said.
While migrant registration ended on Friday, Persad-Bissessar said the borders remained “wide open”, and the influx would continue.
On Friday, protesters opposed to migration applauded Persad-Bissessar when she arrived at Parliament, and booed government ministers.
Persad-Bissessar said to solve the border problem, the government needs to work with the United Nations Refugee Agency and put together a comprehensive refugee policy.
“The Prime Minister is saying right now that he doesn't want any international agencies involved, nor does he want any help from the outside. He is totally wrong. Trinidad is a very small country, and this invasion is going to impact… tremendously on all aspects of life.”
However, on Friday Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon issued the reminder saying the migration of Venezuelans to Trinidad and Tobago was a “temporary” situation.
Gopee-Scoon said the government was doing what it can to help given the present reality in Venezuela, and its registration process for Venezuelan migrants was clear. Venezuelans who do register will be able to live and work for a year. At the end of the year, the government will assess the situation.
By last Thursday, Rowley said 13,933 Venezuelans had been registered.
