Woman’s house sprayed with bullets

The apartment of a Laventille mother of two, who spoke out against the firebombing of a tractor at John John, Laventille on Sunday, was sprayed with bullets, around 2.45 am yesterday.

Leslie Ann Lewis of Building 16, Apartment A, Marcano Quarry, Laventille, a CEPEP worker, said yesterday that the criminal act will not deter her in any way, and she will not be silenced. Lewis was visited at her apartment by ACP Crime Oswyn Allard who promised police action to arrest those involved. Allard told Newsday that the matter is receiving urgent attention. Lewis told Newsday that she was roused from sleep around 2.45 am yesterday by the sound of rapid gunfire. She said that on checking, she was greeted by the sight of broken glass in her living room and kitchen. A glass shade from an overhead light was also struck by the bullets. Lewis believes that the incident is linked to her statements on Sunday when she spoke out against criminal elements who firebombed the tractor where a housing project is in progress. “I will not be deterred by this act, and no one will cause me to leave my home, even if I am killed in the process,” said a tough-talking Lewis. She said that Sunday’s bombing of the tractor was intended to intimidate and to send a message to some workers to abandon the job.

Sanjay Maharaj, the owner of the tractor, described the incident as an act of terrorism. He called for round-the-clock police protection for his workers. Maharaj is the Managing Director of S&M Construction, and is a sub-contractor at the site on Plaisance, Quarry Road. He was contracted to clear away a portion of land to allow construction of 120 apartments in 10 buildings as part of Government’s Urban Renewal Programme which is being managed by the Urban Development Company Limited and the National Housing Authority. Police investigators told Newsday that they are working on information that a group of men believed to be part of a Muslim group are responsible for the firebombing of the tractor. The same group reportedly threatened workers on the site last Thursday claiming that they had bid for the same contract, but were turned down. Officers of the Besson Street Police Station said yesterday that they have increased patrols in and around the site. When Newsday visited the area yesterday workmen were back on the job clearing the site. The workmen claimed that despite assurances by the police of a round-the-clock presence, they remain afraid for their safety. Member of Parliament for the area, Eric Williams visited the site of the fireboming over the weekend. Newsday learned that compensation for the burnt out tractor was being organised.