Subhas disappointed with ministers’ silence

CLOSE associates of Princes Town MP Subhas Panday indicated yesterday he was “extremely disappointed” over the silence of the Government in general, and National Security Minister Martin Joseph in particular, to his (Panday) call for a limited State of Emergency in parts of South Trinidad to aid police in their search for ten-year-old kidnap victim Vijay Persad. “He (Panday) is very disappointed, especially with the fact that Vijay has been missing for well over a month now,” said a top-ranking PTRC official, who spoke to Newsday on condition of anonymity. And despite an ecumenical prayer meeting and the distribution of over 5,000 posters of Persad all over the Moruga and Princes Town areas, credible information on the boy’s whereabouts have not yet surfaced.

Persad, a Standard Four student, was kidnapped on June 21 outside his Indian Walk, Moruga Road, Princes Town home by bandits who were refused access to the family’s small businessplace by Persad’s father, Rajkumar Persad. Despite a number of searches by police officers and hunters, as well as public appeals for the boy’s release by religious leaders, bussiness persons and MPs, Persad is still to be located. Police have also admitted being stumped in their investigations, although more than 16 persons were detained and questioned about the kidnapping. All were subsequently released.

Panday said letters requesting the proposed limited State of Emergency were forwarded to both National Security Minister Martin Joseph and Prime Minister Patrick Manning. Even a $50,000 cash reward, which Panday said was raised by the “small people of Princes Town,” is being offered to anyone with information leading to the release of Persad and arrests of his kidnappers, remains unclaimed. “We are hopeful that someone will call with credible information about where little Vijay is being kept, but as it is, we are unhappy with the response or lack of response so far,” he said.