Now Muslim cleric says ‘behead the kidnappers’

In the midst of prayers for the safe return of Vijay and for compassion to be “instilled in the hearts of the kidnappers,” Muslim cleric Shaheed Solomon said Islamic justice should be dispensed to these kidnappers who, “know nothing about God.” In an impassioned cry for justice, Solomon asked, “Which nation do we want God to bless?” He said these persons (kidnappers) had “gone astray” from any knowledge of God. “You want to kidnap, let them kidnap. But when we catch you, we will take off your head, your whole head and you will never kidnap again,” an emotional Solomon said. Eight ministers of religion offered prayers for Vijay’s safe return including Seventh Day Adventist pastor Clive Dottin, Moruga Roman Catholic deacon David Khan, and St Andrews Presbyterian Church elder Dennis Williams.

Meanwhile, the “small people of Princes Town” have come together, raised funds, and are now offering $50,000 reward to anyone with information which leads to the safe release of ten-year-old kidnap victim Vijay Persad, who has been missing for over a month. The reward was revealed by Princes Town MP Subhas Panday during an Ecumenical Service held at Robert Village Hindu School in Tableland on Thursday evening. Panday said the “small people” of Princes Town got together and raised the money in their effort to ensure the boy was safely returned to his Moruga Road home. Panday also advised that persons could call either the Princes Town Police Station or offices of the Princes Town Regional Corporation with information. Little Vijay was snatched outside his home over a month ago by three men who were refused entry into the family’s small parlour, by the boy’s father.

Panday also reiterated the call for a limited State of Emergency to be instituted in the South-Eastern counties, as well as the introduction of the Inter-Agency Task Force to assist in the hunt for the child. He also questioned why the elite Inter-Agency Task Force, formed by Government to specifically deal with major crime, had not yet been dispatched to assist in the search. “We must be able to give up some of our rights for the sake of this innocent child,” Panday said as he alluded to the limited State of Emergency. He slammed Prime Minister Patrick Manning’s response of “no comment,” on the question of a limited State of Emergency, saying this was “not good enough.” Panday said some 5,000 posters, showing a picture of Vijay and numbers to call if he is seen or if someone knows of his location, would be placed all over South Trinidad. He also said plans were underway for an additional 50,000 posters to be distributed all over the country from Port-of-Spain to Icacos.