Lead Editor-Politics
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the first night of special operations in Maloney has exposed the cowardice of gangs operating in the community, declaring that criminals who terrorise innocent residents were nowhere to be found when confronted by the country’s security forces.
“That is what happens when fake bad man meet real bad man,” Persad-Bissessar declared yesterday, as she praised the police and soldiers deployed to the community under the Special Operations Act.
Persad-Bissessar said the operation had demonstrated that gang members who intimidate law-abiding residents were unwilling to confront trained security personnel.
“Today, the Maloney community saw firsthand the cowardice of the gangs operating in their community. These gangs only terrorise law-abiding citizens who don’t have the means to defend themselves,” she said.
“Not a single gang member had the courage to take on the brave men and women of the police and defence forces. Instead, they hid like the cowardly bullies they are because that is their true nature, weakness.”
Persad-Bissessar’s comments came after the Maloney Buildings Housing Development became the first community in Trinidad and Tobago to be declared a closed area under the Special Operations Act, with a nightly curfew imposed between 9 pm and 5 am.
The operation, which began on Tuesday night, involved members of the T&T Police Service (TTPS) and T&T Defence Force (TTDF), supported by the Strategic Services Agency (SSA).
Turning her attention to law-abiding residents, Persad-Bissessar said, “I want the law-abiding citizens of Maloney to know that your Prime Minister loves you and your children very much. I consider you all my family and your children are my children.
“I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe and if that means using Special Operations to put down the gangs operating in your community, that is exactly what I will do.”
The Prime Minister insisted that her United National Congress (UNC) administration was determined to ensure citizens could live peacefully without being terrorised by criminals.
“No man, woman or child should have to flee for their lives in their own community from rampaging gangs shooting indiscriminately,” she said.
However, Persad-Bissessar also launched a political attack against the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) and Trincity/Maloney MP Camille Robinson-Regis, accusing them of abandoning residents.
“For years, the PNM and the sitting MP did nothing to protect the people of Maloney from being terrorised by violent gangs and criminals,” she claimed.
“The PNM never cared about their supporters, who they view as a vote bank at election time. They are only interested in doing the bidding of the one per cent owners of the PNM.”
Persad-Bissessar maintained that Government would not be deterred from protecting communities, even in the face of political opposition.
“If the PNM and their supporters don’t want the protection of the state security, so be it. But as long as there is one law-abiding citizen in any community who wants that protection, your prime minister and my Government will move to provide it,” she said.
The PM thanked the security personnel involved in the operation, praying for their protection, strength and patience.
The declaration of Maloney as a closed area has, however, triggered concerns about the handling of the operation and its impact on residents.
Robinson-Regis has criticised Government a lack of communication, saying residents were left frightened and confused about the curfew and whether permits were required to enter or leave their homes. She has also demanded the disclosure of the intelligence used to justify the declaration.
The Government is expected to provide Parliament with information supporting the declaration in accordance with the Special Operations Act.
