Ramesh silent on ‘Fuad Squad’

FORMER Attorney-General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj declined to comment about San Juan/Barataria MP, Dr Fuad Khan’s plan to establish a civilian Anti-Kidnapping Squad. Khan told a news conference last Friday that he plans to launch a group called “Guardian Angels” today.

This group, according to Khan, will comprise young persons from San Juan/Barataria between the ages of 15 to 18, who will carry out anti-kidnapping and anti-crime manoeuvres including surveillance work. The Opposition MP said he has written to Police Commissioner Hilton Guy, asking that the “Angels” be trained in the use of firearms and other combat techniques. When contacted yesterday, Maharaj said he has been occupied with a plethora of legal matters within recent weeks and could not make a comment on Khan’s actions.

The San Juan/ Barataria MP was one of three MPs who incurred the wrath of Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday for holding talks with Maharaj after the party was defeated by the People’s National Movement (PNM) in last October’s general elections. Khan admitted to talking with Maharaj, while his parliamentary colleagues Kelvin Ramnath (Couva South) and Dr Roodal Moonilal (Oropouche) denied ever speaking to the National Team Unity leader. United National Congress (UNC) chairman Wade Mark said the party supports any initiative taken by any MP or councillor to form crime watch groups in their district, but these groups must operate within the framework of the law and the Constitution. Mark added that UNC correspondence to CoP Hilton Guy and National Security Minister Howard Chin Lee requesting meetings with both of them will be dispatched this week.