UNC cries ‘PNM terrorism’

THE OPPOSITION United National Congress (UNC) yesterday claimed the death threats issued against a UNC alderman are part of  “PNM harassment and terrorism” against the party. UNC chairman Wade Mark told Newsday that in light of the death threats against Princes Town Regional Corporation alderman Zaniffa Fakira on Monday, all UNC members have been placed on “high alert.” Mark said the UNC strongly condemns the actions taken against Fakira by “persons who can only be described as cowards”. According to Mark, this incident forms part of a pattern of harassment directed towards UNC members since the October 2002 general elections.

The UNC chairman said Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday, former minister Carlos John and Opposition Senators Sadiq Baksh and Arnim Smith have all been victims of this alleged campaign of intimidation which appears to be “politically generated.” Mark further alleged that Government was engaging in acts of  “political banditry” along the lines of Grenada’s Mongoose Gang, Haiti’s Ton Ton Macoutes and Guyana’s House of Israel. He added that the reason why the PNM has allegedly embarked on this course of action was because the UNC is the only obstacle in the way of a full-flegded dictatorship in TT.