Police refuse permission for march to mark Hosay massacre

The Trinidad and Tobago Equality Council (ITEC) has written to National Security Minister Martin about a decision by police to deny ITEC permission for its annual Jahajee Massacre Walk, which was scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2009.

The event, which was to begin from the Chaguanas flyover and end at Mon Repos in San Fernando commemorates to commemorate 125th anniversary of the Jahajee massacre on October 30, 1884, has been postponed.

The massacre, also known as the Hosay Riots, took place during the annual Hosay procession in San Fernando. The colonial government had deemed the march illegal and fired on a large procession of indentured labourers, who had been previously barred from entering the town.

Twenty-two people were killed and more than 100 were injured.

In a letter dated Oct. 25, 2009, ITEC Chairman Devant Maharaj complained that "the Chaguanas police was extremely unhelpful in facilitating this annual march." He noted that the Jahajee Walk has been held over the past five years without incident.

Maharaj said he considers this development to be another "case of inequality of treatment" and asked for the minister's intervention as a matter of urgency "as there appears a growing body of evidence and feeling that only one political and ethnic group received favorable treatment by the apparatus of the State."

He pointed out that a recent march and motorcade organized by "known PNM supporter Louis Lee Sing recently to garner support for Compulsory National Service had not only permission by the police, an address by the Commissioner of police, but also police escort."

Maharaj has also written to Professor John La Guerre, Chairman of the Equal Opportunity, outlining the concerns expressed to the minister and seeking the commission's intervention to address what he said appears to be a clear case of discrimination.