Detainees free as SoE ends; PM Kamla has no regrets

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said on Monday she has no regrets about declaring a state of emergency that ended at midnight Monday.

The measure was brought in on August 21 and extended to December 5 in order to deal with crime in Trinidad & Tobago. 

And near the end of the emergency security personnel detained more than a dozen men said to be connected to a plot to assassinate Persad-Bissessar and three members of her cabinet.

Hours before the emergency measures expired, the state released all the men who had been served detention orders in connection with the alleged plot. The authorities were unable to lay charges and had no choice but to free them.

Persad-Bissessar told the Guardian media, "I have no regrets...The criminal offences were down, a number of illegal drugs, guns and ammunition were found by the security forces. The state of emergency was a successful crime-fighting weapon. I have no regrets."

Read the commentary: The SoE worked, now let's continue to keep criminals on the run

Persad-Bissessar noted that the measures used before had failed and that the weapon she used - the state of emergency - had worked. "The nation is now safer,” she stated. 

The Prime Minister said the security forces are now fully mobilised. "They have a plan and are ready and able to deal with crime and the criminal element, post state of emergency,” she told the paper.

She told the Guardian she is encouraged by the success of the emergency and remains committed to ensuring all citizens of T&T remain safe.

She added that several social measures have been developed and are being implemented to ensure that the less fortunate in the society can lead more rewarding lives.