Valencia squatters breathe sigh of relief

The assurance was given at yesterday’s hearing of the constitutional claim filed by Annesa Maharaj and Ashminee Joseph who say they have been occupying the lands at Pine Avenue for more than 30 years.

Justice Frank Seepersad at an emergency sitting in the San Fernando High Court on Sunday, granted the two an interim conservatory order which prevented the demolition of their property at Pine Avenue.

At yesterday’s hearing, attorneys for the Attorney General indicated that they were not contesting the conservatory order and also gave the undertaking that no steps would be taken to interfere with the squatters’ property.

The matter has been adjourned to July 25.

Maharaj and Joseph are represented by attorneys Gerald Ramdeen, Wayne Sturge, Kent Samlal, Sean Sobers and Arianna Khan. They are claiming their rights to enjoyment of property and protection by law were infringed as they contend the State Suits Limitation Ordinance protects them from attempts by the State to repossess State lands once they have been living on the property for 30 years.

They also contended that they have expressed intention to possess the lands as their own, as prescribed for in the Ordinance.

Attorneys Terrance Bharath and Tamara Toolsie represent the AG.