Chin Lee ready for battle

MINISTER of National Security Howard Chin Lee will present a proposal to Cabinet this week for the purchase of special equipment to be used in the fight against kidnappings.

Minister Chin Lee said the idea is to advance Trinidad and Tobago’s security systems, using the special technology being used in the United Kingdom. He added that the go-ahead for implementing these systems depended on Cabinet. The minister pointed out that while the perception exists that kidnappings are on the rise, this is not so. Up until yesterday, 174 persons were kidnapped for the year so far. During the same period last year 147 persons were kidnapped. In August this year, 10 kidnappings took place while up until yesterday for the month of September five kidnappings took place. The last kidnap victim is Tricia Suryadevera, a 27-year old Princes Town businesswoman who was dragged out of her business place by three gunmen last Monday and bundled into a car.

A $2 million ransom was demanded for her safe release. Kidnappers have since refused to lower their ransom demand despite pleas by Teeluck Shirkissoon, the father of the victim. Up until yesterday, the victim was still in the custody of kidnappers. The Downtown Owners and Merchants Association led by Gregory Aboud said on Friday that crime was destroying jobs. On Friday Doma gave a $10,000 donation to the Crime stoppers programme. Aboud noted that kidnappings has had an effect on the nation’s tourism industry which translates into a job reduction in that sector since less tourists are visiting our shores. He added that crime is discouraging those who would consider visiting our country from doing so.