Baksh: No demolitions by UNC

Even as more residents of Cashew Gardens suffered the demolition of their homes, the Senate agreed to debate the matter. Residents of the Longdenville squatting community told Sunday Newsday that a crew from the Land Settlement Agency (LSA) had returned yesterday to continue the demolition of houses from last Saturday. Ironically, Senator Sadiq Baksh told Sunday Newsday that yesterday he had received the approval of the Senate to debate the matter.

Three residents — Rookmin Deepnarine, Zelma Jack and Ramrajie Rampersad — visited Sunday Newsday. They said the demolition crew had wrecked some houses last weekend but had been prevented from continuing when residents formed a human barricade. The crew, they said, had returned yesterday morning at 8.30 am to continue the job. Jack said residents had built their houses on an old abandoned cashew field, which they had cleaned up. “People had been using it as a garbage dump. We cleared old cars because it had been a stripping ground for bandits. We moved old fridges, old stoves, even half a horse and a dead cow. We had the place looking real good, then they decided to move us” The women said the attempted demolitions had been ongoing over a time period, with many residents rebuilding their humble homes several times each time they were demolished.

When contacted Senator Sadiq Baksh told Sunday Newsday that he had put the plight of the residents of Cashew Gardens into a motion on the adjournment of the Upper House. Baksh said: “Just today I got a letter from the President (of the Senate) approving my motion for the next sitting. But we don’t know when that will be, since the House was adjourned to a date to be fixed”. He gave his views on the matter. “This is victimisation. These are innocent people thrown to the elements and to would-be bandits. “This Government said they are ‘caring’ but they are a ‘scaring’ Government”. Sunday Newsday was unable to reach Minister of Housing and Settlements, Dr Keith Rowley, for a comment.