Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley yesterday declined to answer questions about what Government will be doing to do to stop the Beetham Garden community from rioting in future.
Rowley was approached by the T&T Guardian hours after the Beetham residents blocked the roadway, threw missiles at motorists and robbed them, causing panic along the Beetham Highway.
Asked about the rioting before the opening of the Point Lisas Business Park in Couva yesterday, Rowley said, “Where are you standing? In Couva, well don’t ask me about Beetham. I am here to talk about Couva.”
However, Leader of Government Business Camille Robinson-Regis said Government cannot condone lawlessness such as what occurred on the Beetham Highway.
“The police have arrested two gang leaders and that kind of reaction we saw is not a reaction that the Government can condone because it is lawlessness and as a consequence, we cannot tolerate this,” Robinson-Regis said.
“The police were carrying out their duties lawfully. The police reacted to what took place today. The Government cannot condone that, it is not in keeping with lawful behaviour and it cannot be condoned.”
Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon also said Rowley, as head of the National Security Council and Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon have been dealing with these matters of security on a daily basis.
“We take these reports with a level of seriousness and I have every confidence it will be dealt with. Police are doing their jobs and the population has to understand that,” Gopee-Scoon said.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kazim Hosein said community programmes were needed to change the mindset of people.
“This has to start in the nation’s schools. We have to reach out to the young ones,” Hosein said.