T&T PM vows to win war against criminals
Published:Wednesday | September 14, 2011 | 12:17 PM
Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar has vowed to win the war against crime in Trinidad and Tobago, as her administration announced the widening of the hot spot areas under curfew as part of the three and a half week old state of emergency.
Persad Bissessar made the declaration at a news conference yesterday which followed a lengthy meeting of the country’s National Security Council.
The prime minister announced 10 new hot spot areas in addition to the six already under the five hour curfew.
She also said the state of emergency had allowed for law enforcement authorities to arrest people on outstanding warrants and other crimes.
She said also the decision of the Magistrate Court to dismiss the charges against 21 detainees on Monday was an assurance that the rule of law is still functioning.
The men had been charged under the controversial anti-gang legislation that allows for anyone to be held for a period of four months without bail once they are suspected of being a member of a criminal gang.
The act came into force a few days before the state of emergency was announced on August 21.