State holds off on Valencia squatters

This undertaking was given on Wednesday to Justice Frank Seepersad in the San Fernando High Court by attorneys acting on behalf of the State at the hearing of an injunction filed in the name of Pine Avenue residents Annesa Maharaj and Ashminee Joseph and granted during an emergency sitting on Sunday.

Fifteen squatters were met with an excavator and workers from the Ministry of Agriculture accompanied by police at about 5 am on Monday.

About 15 homes were demolished.

During the demolition, several residents formed a human barricade in an attempt to prevent further demolition of houses. UNC Senator and attorney Gerald Ramdeen filed the injunction last Friday against the Commissioner of State Lands.

Justice Seepersad heard the matter ex-parte on Sunday and granted a conservatory order preventing the Commissioner her agents from encroaching onto land for the purpose of demolishing houses.

The effect of the judge’s order saw residents being allowed to return to Pine Avenue and some have since rebuilt their houses. The value of these squatters’ houses range from $90,000 to $800,000.

Ramdeen contended that the residents have occupied land at Pine Avenue for the past 30 years and have nowhere else to live. He said the State’s action was unlawful, oppressive and breached the residents’ fundamental right not to be deprived of their property, except by due process of law.

On Wednesday, Justice Seepersad heard the matter in San Fernando while attorneys for the State participated via video conference from the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain. Attorney Terrence Bharath instructed by Tamara Toolsie, appeared for the Commissioner of State Lands.

Justice Seepersad directed that filing of evidence commence on both sides and adjourned the case to July 25 to be heard in the Hall of Justice.