Police Commissioner Stephen Williams says although Independent Liberal Party candidate Fabien Assie recently received a death threat he will not get additional security until investigations are complete.
In the meantime, Minister of National Security Brigadier Carl Alfonso is advising all candidates in the September 7 general election to put their private security arrangements in place, should thuggery and violence occur in the lead up to the big day. During a brief interview yesterday, Williams said possession of ammunition was an offence and the matter would be investigated thoroughly before any decision was taken to provide additional State security to Assie.
The ILP candidate had to be hospitalised after a brown envelope with bullets was sent to him on Saturday. On the envelope were the words: “This is for Fyzabad candidate Fabien Assie.” The death threat prompted ILP chair Rekha Ramjit to call on police to provide additional security to all candidates.
Asked yesterday whether it was feasible for all 132 candidates to get security, Williams declined comment, saying he had no desire to comment on political matters. “I will speak only to issues relating to crime. The investigation is being done and only that will determine whether there will be any boost in security for the candidate,” he said. In a telephone interview, Alfonso said if it became necessary all candidates would get security, depending on the level of the threat made to them. However, he advised the candidates to make their own private security arrangements. Asked whether the T&T’s security forces were well equipped to provide 24-hour security for 132 candidates, he replied: “I am sure they can but we are hoping that it will not come to that.
“If it becomes necessary we will do it for all candidates. While we hope that some of them make their own arrangements, security will depend on the level of the threat. We will investigate and then deal with it.” He also said he had spoken to DCP Glen Hackett, who indicated that an investigation was in progress. Asked to comment on the incidents of violence, Alfonso said: “I will not say we are degenerating. We are changing and a lot of what is happening now hasn’t happened in the good old days.
“We are evolving as a people and there will be obstacles and challenges that we need to deal with. I would hope that we don’t reach the stage of being violent.” He assured the law enforcement fraternity would provide security, peace and comfort so citizens could cast their ballots without fear on election day.