St Kitts' Opposition agrees with limited state of emergency in T&T

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – The main opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM) Monday urged the Denzil Douglas government to follow the example of the Trinidad and Tobago government and implement a limited state of emergency to deal with the crime situation in the twin island federation.



Opposition legislator Shawn Richards said that the move by the Kamla Persad Bissessar administration indicates that she is prepared “to fight crime in her country and has accepted her mandated responsibility to keep her country safe and secure”.



Prime Minister Persad Bissessar Sunday night said that the limited state of emergency would be for “hot spots” across the country from midnight, as her administration battles to deal with an upsurge in criminal activities that included the murder of 11 people over a 48 hour period.



“The situation cannot continue like this without a response commensurate with the wanton acts of violence and lawlessness; it must be a response as well that will halt the current spike in gang activity and crime in general in the shortest possible time.



“After much deliberation with the National Security Council and members of the Cabinet it has been agreed that the government consider the imposition of a limited state of emergency in hot spots across the country,” she said.



Richards recalled that the Opposition Leader Mark Brantley had called on the Douglas government last week to institute a limited state of emergency in the areas affected by crime. But he said the call had even received an acknowledgement from the government.



"Rather than refusing to take any responsibility and sitting back and blaming parents, teachers and dancehall music, Kamla has done something and is exhibiting true leadership and is showing a genuine willingness to deal with crime in her country.



“Unfortunately the same cannot be said of our Prime Minister here in St Kitts-Nevis who despite the huge spike in murders over the last few weeks remains mum on the issue and has said nothing to the citizens of this country regarding the issue,” Richards said.



He said that “true leadership is shown when times are difficult, rough and unprecedented and the Prime Minister’s disappearing act over the last few weeks shows a serious lack of leadership”.



Last week, the twin island federation recorded five murders in as many days bringing the toll so far for the year to 25.