(Trinidad Express) Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said yesterday that criminal activity had ground to almost zero since the limited state of emergency was declared on Sunday night.
Persad-Bissessar said weapons and ammunition were seized, bandits who resisted law enforcement officers were killed (in Arima on Monday) and gangs were on the run.
She was speaking to the media during a tour of the Chancery Lane Complex in San Fernando.
“I am pleased to report that the results are already coming in that critical information has been gleaned, weapons and ammunition seized and bandits who fought with our law enforcement units have been killed.
“Already, criminal activity has ground to almost zero, and gangs are on the run. I am quite aware that this lull is due to the limitations imposed upon the criminal elements but which is also confining the freedom of innocent citizens,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar said although it was only day two of the state of emergency, all indicators show the strategy was delivering positive results.
“Let us be grateful to the joint services carrying out these dangerous exercises. It would be well worth it if we could bring back some measure of security to our nation. The nation salutes each and every one of you,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar noted it was mandatory to go to Parliament for an extension to the state of emergency, “and if we decide to go that way, it has to be done within 15 days”.
Persad-Bissessar said she was willing to meet Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, but her priority was to ensure the first leg of the state of emergency was a success.
“In due course, I will meet the Opposition Leader. No date has been set yet as my priority right now is this first leg to get the operations and logistics going to the best that we can,” she said.
