Police, soldiers break up re-route camp, arrest Kublalsingh

Police have destroyed a camp set up in south Trinidad by the Highway Re-route group and arrested its leader Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh.

Local media reports say it happened just after six Wednesday morning while the group was protesting the construction of the section of the Highway to Point Fortin that runs through the community of Debe/Mon Desir. Police officers and soldiers clashed with demonstrators, the reports said.

Former Works Minister Jack Warner, who is the new National Security Minister, visited the scene of the clash with both sides. He had ordered a temporary halt to work on the disputed section of the highway in order to conduct studies to determine if the route can be changed.

The movement has said the highway will destroy an old community and cause severe environmental damage. It has suggested at alternative route and  suggested that members might take legal action to get their way.

The Congress of the People (COP) condemned the destruction of the camp in a release from deputy Political Leader Dr. Anirudh Mahabir. The party said it is "alarmed to learn of the destruction of the camp...and arrest of Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh."

It added, "The COP recommends that there be an immediate end to this confrontational approach and that a speedy resolution of this situation be found by way of dialogue and consultation."

It suggested that the new Minister of Works and Infrastructure, Emmanuel George, "must lead the work of the Government at the highest levels in this matter in light of the fact that this highway from San Fernando to Point Fortin is of great importance to the economy and the relief of hardship of people living on the South-West peninsula."

COP said George must be given the opportunity to address the issues raised by the movement.

It added that the COP is concerned that "several Ministers of Government were involved in essentially a police-military operation, given the Constitutional separation of the roles of elected and coercive arms of the state.

"The COP is of the view that an open and consultative approach to the claims of those with a different point of view, including protestors, is more likely to achieve mutually satisfactory and beneficial outcomes than violent confrontation on either side. That is the spirit of the People’s Partnership approach to new governance."