Civilians cry ‘licks’ at hands of soldiers

THREE soldiers, part of the Joint Army Patrol in Tunapuna are now under investigations after accusations they slapped, cuffed and cursed civilians at the corner of Francis and St Vincent Streets, Tunapuna. It is also alleged they discharged their weapons during an early morning rampage. A civilian who claimed he was cuffed to the mouth by a soldier, was  yesterday brought to the Tunapuna Police Station by his father and a report was taken by Sgt Peter Hamilton, who is investigating the matter. The civilian is the son of a former police officer, who is now the driver for Junior Minister of Culture, Eddie Hart. Eyewitnesses told Newsday, “Around 12.15 am the three soldiers, who appeared to be drunk, speaking loudly and using foul language, stopped a car driving north along St Vincent Street, in the vicinity of Francis Street, and ordered the occupants out.

“As they were coming out one man was slapped across his face, while another was hit with a gun butt, while the soldiers allegedly laughed. “Another car came up and the soldiers also ordered the driver out. That driver questioned the action and he too, was allegedly struck with a gun butt to face and slapped several times. “One of the soldiers then reportedly fired three shots into the air before driving off in a military vehicle parked nearby. Tunapuna police told Newsday they were investigating the matter. However, senior army officers said they were waiting on a report from the police before they start any investigation. In a recent speech, Colonel Edmund Dillon, Commanding Officer of the Regiment, who praised his men for the work they are doing with police, also threatened to deal forcefully with officers who bring the organisation into disrepute.