janfar wrote:what did he say???
http://ctntworld.com/cnews2/index.php?o ... Itemid=707It is not my role, nor do I seek to make it such, to exercise any judgement on the tragic circumstances that resulted in the loss of the life of a young man in Beetham Gardens last Sunday. It is my duty, however, to ensure that investigations are conducted that will produce the truth on all the circumstances surrounding this sad event. Until these investigations have been conducted and the results made public I will refrain from any comment on the matter other than to extend my sincere and deepest condolences to the family of the young man who died.
What I can make a definitive statement upon, however, is the flagrant violation of the laws as seen conducted by some reckless residents of Beetham as they resorted to the blocking of the roads and stoning of vehicles of innocent passersby on Monday. There can be absolutely no justification for such rogue behaviour that disrupts and endangers the lives of thousands of commuters who became stranded on the roadway in the midst of the erupting melee. The inconvenience, endangerment and trauma suffered by so many included children who could not be picked up from school on time on their first day. Regardless of what circumstances might have triggered this episode, such riotous behaviour perpetrated against law abiding, innocent, men, women and children is unacceptable and illegal.
Aggrieved citizens must seek redress through the legally established channels and institutions of the State. There are established procedures for dealing with these situations if there is an allegation of excessive use of force or an unlawful killing by the police. The correct thing to do would be to make a report to the Police Complaints Authority of the Commissioner of Police.
I wish to make it abundantly clear as Minister of National Security that this anarchical behaviour will not be condoned. Communities cannot be permitted to act in flagrant disregard of the law under the guise of legitimate social protest, endangering lives of creating havoc on the nation's highways. Such wanton destruction and recklessness undermines the rule of law and is an affront to the entire legal system. The verbal threats and missiles hurled at the law enforcement officers as they tried to bring order to the situation cannot be supported and are actions that are also condemned. The police and army officers present at the time must be commended for exercising considerable restraint.
Let me make it clear. The riot that occurred on the Beetham Highway must not happen again. Nothing justifies that type of action and everything within the law will be done to put an end to such acts of lawlessness. I serve full and final warning to the perpetrators of such mob rule. There must be respect for the law and there will be zero tolerance for those who seek to flout it.
A report on the incident that took place in the Beetham has been commissioned and we await its prompt completion and submission. Thereafter, legal processes can be instituted if deemed necessary.
- Senator the Honourable Emmanuel George
Minister of National Security
