Anti-crime march called off

AN anti-crime march by the Concerned Citizens of Princes Town was called off at the last minute yesterday after the organisation failed to receive written permission from the Police Service. In a statement yesterday, Public Relations Officer, Terriann Boodan, said that oral permission for the march had been granted by police authorities on Friday. However, by 10 am on Sunday morning (the day of the march) no written confirmation had been received by the organisation, and, cognisant of what had transpired at Chaguanas almost three weeks ago when another peaceful march against crime resulted in the arrest of several marchers, including two Members of Parliament, a decision was made to postpone the march. However, Boodan reiterated that the march was not a “political action” by the organisation, but was an expression of concern against the rising crime wave, including the recent spate of kidnappings.

She said that business persons from all over the country, including several prominent church leaders and other community leaders had already made a commitment to join in the peaceful walk that would have taken place along the main thoroughfare of Princes Town, and culminating in a rally at Nipdec carpark. The march has been re-scheduled to early in the new year and was designed as a follow-up to the successful business shut-down that had occurred on October 6 (Budget Day), of the main shopping area of Princes Town.