Calls are being made for police to beef up security in Penal tomorrow following reports that government supporters were planning to disrupt the planned Highway Re-route Movement (HRM) motorcade and rally. The motorcade is expected to get going at 10 am, to be followed by a rally at 4 pm. The movement has already changed its earlier venue from Rampersad Brothers Ranch to the Jokhan Trace Hindu Temple in San Francique after an HRM supporter was threatened.
A resident who is in support of the controversial second leg of the $7 billion highway from San Fernando to Point Fortin said a few villagers will be attending the rally to "educate" the Re-routers. However, attorney Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, who is expected to speak to participants tomorrow, claimed maxi taxis had been hired to transport protesters to disrupt the rally. "They also plan to throw missiles during the motorcade," Maharaj alleged. He called on the police to send additional manpower to Penal.
"I am appealing to the Police Service to ensure that the freedom of expression of the Re-route Movement is not hindered and obstructed by people hired to disrupt the motorcade and the rally," Maharaj said. He said he would speak about whether the People's Partnership Government has been practising the principles of good governance when he addresses the rally tomorrow.
Contacted yesterday, acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams said he could not confirm whether additional police officers will be dispatched to Penal tomorrow or whether permission had been granted for the event. "I cannot comment on something I have no knowledge of. I do not know about the rally," Williams said. HRM?leader Dr Wayne Kublalsingh insisted yesterday that permission had been obtained. "We have applied for permission and our activist Khemraj Boodhai has assured everything is ready," he said.
Unlike Maharaj, Kublalsingh said he did not think additional security was needed. "I don't believe that anyone in Debe or Penal has the ability to stop what we are doing. I don't think anybody has the guts or bravery to do it," Kublalsingh declared. Leader of the Movement for Social Justice David Abdulah and former minister of agriculture Trevor Sudama are also expected to speak at the rally.