Rio Claro threatens shutdown

The Rio Claro business community may be facing a total shutdown following the kidnap attempt of Rio Claro businessman Narine Ramrattan on Tuesday morning. Hardware owner Ramrattan was snatched just outside his business place on High Street, Rio Claro, but managed to escape his abductors after the getaway car crashed into another vehicle mere metres from the Rio Claro Police Station.

The kidnappers subsequently escaped on foot after reportedly running through the market. Speaking to reporters after yesterday’s statutory meeting of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation, chairman Ramlochan Panchoo said the time had come for drastic action to be taken against Government’s failure to deal with the escalating crime wave.

“From yesterday, (Tuesday), to last night, up to 11.30 pm, businessmen were calling me asking me what am I doing, but I alone cannot do anything. The community, the true stakeholders in the Corporation, they are the ones who are to come forward and decide what we are doing collectively,” he said. “And I am saying shut down the town, and then it would be highlighted what is happening here,” Panchoo said.