In the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago crime has been escalating at an alarming rate. The National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds is being called to resign by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
According to a statement made by Persad-Bissessar, the nation “is in a state of anarchy,” and between 2015 and 2023, the opposition backed the administration on 35 laws of crime.
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The opposition leader stated, “The UNC supported the Government to pass at least thirty-five crime-fighting bills between 2015 and 2023. Yet the violent crime crisis continues to spiral out of control because of ongoing implementation and operational deficits due to an incompetent Minister of National Security.”
She added, “1,546 people have been murdered in 1007 days under Fitzgerald Hinds, an average of one person every 16 hours. Rowley’s unremorseful continuation with incompetent Hinds as minister has now moved from gross negligence to an act of purposeful evil being committed against the population.”
Persad-Bissessar stated that the nation’s citizens are in fear for their lives as the minister failed to protect his people from criminals who plague the Caribbean country, “The country is in a state of anarchy, citizens are terrified and living in their states of emergency. In contrast to the brutal reality facing regular unarmed and unprotected citizens, Ministers of Government and their families continue to enjoy life under heavily armed, taxpayer-funded security.”
“The UNC supported the Government to pass at least 35 crime-fighting bills between 2015 and 2023. This is reflected in the Parliament’s record. Yet the violent crime crisis continues to spiral out of control because of ongoing implementation and operational deficits due to an incompetent Minister of National Security.”
Persad-Bissessar mentioned a rise in other crimes like robberies, house invasions, and kidnappings.
She demanded that Hinds be removed by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley.
“Rowley’s unremorseful continuation with incompetent Hinds as Minister has now moved from gross negligence to an act of purposeful evil being committed against the population.”
She continued, “How many more of our loved ones must be murdered, raped, robbed, or go missing before the incompetent Minister Hinds is removed? Keith Rowley must move immediately to remove Hinds and replace him with a competent Minister.”
Dr. Rowley disagreed with the Opposition’s proposal for a state of emergency to control the nation’s crime problem, saying the Opposition is not serious about having conversations about crime, during a media conference last Thursday.
He stated that although the government is mandated and responsible for mobilizing state resources in response to illegal activity, it must adhere to legal boundaries.
He declares that the state will battle crime with all its might.
