Penal/Debe businessmen close doors to protest crime scourge

SCORES of businessmen in the Penal/Debe area shut down their stores and shops yesterday for three hours in protest and to highlight their disgust over the spiralling crime situation in the country. Businessmen who spoke to Newsday expressed their horror over the crime situation, especially serious crimes including murders and kidnapping. They also vented their frustrations at what they say was Government’s lax approach to fighting crime. President of the Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce, Leo Doodnath, called on Government, on behalf of the Chamber, to “get serious” in dealing with crime.

“We call on Prime Minister Manning, the Minister of National Security and other relevant authorities involved in the running of the country, to find solutions for the crime situation and don’t just sit around and watch what is going on,” Doodnath said. Most businesses between Debe to Penal were closed to customers around 2 pm until 5 pm, while others closed from 2 pm and did not reopen. Businesses offering essential services such as gas stations and food outlets closed for three hours, but re-opened at 5 pm, much to the relief of customers.

Doodnath said similar action would be carried out over the next three weeks in the hope that businessmen would be heard by Government. He was quick to point out that yesterday’s action by businessmen was not wholly motivated by the murder of Naparima MP Nizam Baksh’s son, Ashmead. “In fact, while the gruesome death of Baksh did shake up the community, we the businessmen were planning this action way before that murder,” he said. Also speaking with Newsday, proprietress Shakuntala Diharsingh said all businesses in the country should close up as a sign of protest and to send a clear message to Government regarding how serious the crime situation has become.