40 students arrested in downtown fracas

As many as 40 students were up to late last night detained at the Besson Street Police Station, after a fracas at a nearby mall, according to police. During a Carnival programme on the Brian Lara Promenade in downtown Port-of-Spain, where a large number of students had gathered, a policeman told a schoolgirl she would have to go home as she was not accompanied by her parents.

Another student allegedly insulted the policeman and was held, causing several angry students to retaliate.  Reports reaching Newsday stated that there were up to 70 students in and around the Besson Street Police Station late last night. A number of parents and witnesses were also said to be gathered at the station, trying to find out if the detained students would be charged or released. Reports also revealed that weekly newspaper photo-journalist Suzette Edwards-Lewis, who took photos of the incident, was warned by police to stop. When she identified herself and continued to take photos, she was then beaten by police and detained.