Hindu Credit Union boss arrested at protest march in Trinidad
by Marcia Braveboy
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: President of the
Hindu Credit Union (HCU) in Trinidad and Tobago was arrested Sunday for what
police described as an illegal march initiated and staged by the Credit Union’s
representatives at the Piarco International Airport.
Harry Harnarine along with his personal security officers who tried to shield
him were all arrested; Ronald, Marchand, Norbert Ramdeen and another HCU
supporter Marvin Jones were arrested by police officers under the supervision
of deputy Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul.
The rally comprised of hundreds of people who united their actions in the form
of a motorcade entitled “Capital Flight”; to highlight what they deemed to be
capital exiting the country because of the spiraling crime rate.
The motorcade commenced at the Free Port Convention Center and proceeded to
the Piarco airport. Hanarine expressed his intentions in an anti crime rally
on Saturday at the convention center, where he announced that he and his
supporters will shut down the Airport in an attempt to draw attention to the
escalating crime situation in the land. A
police squad whose vehicles were shaken by the supporters of the HCU President
ended the aggressive march abruptly. After the arrest of Harnarine, the crowd
was asked to make a detour by other HCU members so as to prevent further
arrests. The crowd of supporters then
surrounded the Five Rivers Police Station in Arouca awaiting word on the
status of their leader from HCU legal representatives.
Paul said that Harnarine might be charged with leading an illegal march. “I
expected the people to behave in an orderly manner. Citizens have rights, but
they must realize that they must uphold the law,” he said. He expressed
surprise at the motorcade conducted by the HCU, who apparently was not given
the permission to conduct the march. Paul said he was not willing to tolerate
any lawlessness. On Saturday at the HCU rally
in Free Port, the union began securing signatures for a petition, which they
intend to submit to the United Nations about the escalating crime rate in
Trinidad and Tobago.
Meanwhile 18 yr old Carlos King was shot at
his shop in Pinto and River roads Arima on Saturday night. King and a friend
were in his shop when gunmen ambushed them, firing six shots. King, who had
previously been threatened over the phone for money or his life, received two
bullets to his head and back. In another
incident, 19 yr old businessman from Tunapuna and kidnap victim Dominic Kalloo
was released after spending 5 days held by his kidnappers. Kalloo who was
blindfolded from the time of his kidnapping was dropped off on Bellsmythe
Street in Curepe at midnight on Saturday. A worried family was shocked to see
Kalloo walking towards his home around 1:00 am and phoned the family of other
kidnapped victims to offer a word of hope for the safe return of their loved
ones. Kalloo’s kidnapping was apparently an error in identity by his
kidnappers his family claims.
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