Kamla ‘pained’ by murders

Persad-Bissessar was at the time contributing to debate on a Private Members Motion, ‘Rising Crime Epidemic’ following the contribution of Laventille West MP Fitzgerald Hinds. During his contribution, Hinds spoke about his academic qualifications and work experience which made him ideally suited to his new post as a Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General .Persad-Bissessar was most unimpressed as she blasted Hinds for, “the entertainment show” he put on during his contribution on, “a matter that is of serious concern in our country.”

“When you see the photographs on social media of young Vedesh and we see where our country has reached with the slaughter of the innocent, the slaughter of young children, women, the elderly, the entertainment show put on by my colleague for Laventille West really shows the total lack of caring and compassion (by the government) for the victims of crime.”

As her fellow Opposition MPs loudly thumped their desks, Persad- Bissessar reminded that Naparima MP Rodney Charles, filed this Motion “for us to be able to pay attention and recognise the horror and fear that ordinary citizens in this country live in and undergo on a daily basis.”

Continuing her criticism of the content of Hinds’ contribution, Persad-Bissessar declared, “That’s not the issue; whether you were shuffled and the ‘I, man’ show where you demonstrated that it was ‘I, I, I.’ This is not a job interview.”

As the Opposition once again thumped their desks in support of her point, Persad-Bissessar continued, “This was not to demonstrate that even though I’ve (Hinds) been shuffled, I am great...and with the nasty half-truths and innuendos pelted across the floor, this (Motion) was about the fear and safety and security of citizens.”

Declaring that Hinds “failed to recognise that,” the Opposition Leader argued that he had nothing to suggest about how to fight crime. “No plan, not an idea, nothing about how we deal with this problem. And so, he proceeds to blame of course always, blame us, blame the Partnership, blame the police. (Hinds) totally failed to keep within the confines of this Motion before this Honourable Chamber and to afford any hope or comfort to citizens.”

In making an appeal for an end to the blame game, Persad-Bissessar said, “I take all the blame in the world. The (People’s) Partnership, we take all the blame but what is happening now; from September 2015 to now, is in your hands. The blood is on your hands!”