Kidnappings not racially motivated

THE EDITOR: Kidnapping, like all other major crimes, are committed by people who are (a) medically damaged so as to not comprehend their action or (b) criminally minded individuals or groups who seek to profit from a weakness in our society. Kidnapping is not and has never been a racially motivated crime. The UNC is dead wrong. It is a simple concept to understand. In a nation where there are lower, middle and upper social classes one finds economic disparity between the groups. In a country where people flaunt their success and resulting riches (show off), there will be those who despise them more out of jealousy. So what we have is those who are perceived to have money becoming targets of those criminally intent on stealing the riches away through kidnapping. Simple.

If as the UNC states, that certain groups are targetted (read Indian people) then it would be correct to surmise that those targetted have the money kidnappers seek. Right? Then how come Basdeo Panday can say that Indian people have not shared in the wealth of the nation when they, according to his own words, are the ones who kidnappers see as having the riches? I am a little confused that under the UNC’s policy kidnappers are targeting those in the society who apparently do not have and have never shared in the riches of the nation — something wrong here. Can Mr Panday or his lieutenants please clarify for us all?

As the future unfolds, we will see that the kidnappers come from both of the major ethnic groups in Trinidad and Tobago. Don’t be surprised to also see that the people being kidnapped also represent a cross section of our racial and ethnic demographics. But, with his propensity for orating, I can expect that Mr Panday will continue to twist, skew and politicise issues that are better handled by our legal processes which includes more effective legislation, more efficient  policing and tougher sentencing. And that’s not confusing.

M ROBINSON