Cops rain blows on Temple Street residents

Police and soldiers yesterday blocked off Temple Street and Quesnel Road to Orange Flats in Arima. Despite numerous shootings in the area, which started at the Simple Song Pan Yard on August 30, when 14-year-old, Anisha Simon was shot dead, the residents of the Temple Street community claim that they have been targetted by police.

Two of the residents visited the Arima Hospital for treatment after suffering a broken arm, and lacerations to the head.

Many of the residents told Sunday Newsday that they would not be seeking medical attention or making any reports to the police station because they were afraid.

The residents said they were put "under manners" for six hours. They claimed that they were hit in the chest, beaten with a piece of wood, slammed on a wall, made to do push ups, their hands squeezed in a car door, and they were choked with a belt.

Winston Rufus Husbands, one of the Temple Street residents said that the door to his house was kicked down.

"It was 4 am, when they broke into my bedroom, and I told them I cannot see too well," he stated.

He added that the majority of his household goods were destroyed.

Gevon Joseph, a security officer, who lives in the community said that he was also beaten on the head with a piece of stick and his handcuffs were stolen.

"They also set a dog on me to bite me!"

However, Keith Reid went to receive treatment at the Arima Hospital.

"My arm was broken with a piece of wood! It was already broken a long time ago," he disclosed.