Speaking at a media Conference on the limited State of Emergency, Ramlogan said the detention of anyone for a period longer than 24 hours will be at the discretion of high-ranking police officials and magistrates.
"A magistrate or police officer from the rank of Assistant Superintendent and above has the power to authorise a further detention not exceeding 7 days in total," Ramlogan explained.
"So that will be the extent of the period of detention under the Emergency Powers Regulations. Of course, we also have available in our armoury the Anti-Gang Act, so that if there is evidence forthcoming that can lead to a charge under the Anti-Gang Act or suspicion that you were committing an offense under the Anti-Gang Act, that could in fact lead to a further detention if necessary."
The AG said persons charged for offences under the Emergency Powers Regulations won't get bail. However he said a tribunal will be set up to hear grievances from detainees.
Ramlogan also assured abiding citizens that they have nothing to fear. And he was emphatic that the authorities will not tolerate any abuse of power.
"It is not something to be treated lightly and we therefore ask that police officers and soldiers approach this in a mature and responsible manner because we have every confidence in them that they will.
"Law abiding citizens have nothing to fear by this declaration of a State of Emergency.
"In fact, people in Trinidad and Tobago have been living in denial for far too long because there has been an undeclared State of Emergency whereby people live under self-imposed curfew for the past 9 years in this country. If we are honest about it, after 9, many people do not feel free to leave their homes but prefer to stay indoors," Ramlogan said
"We sense and identify with the desperation of the population and that is why we have taken this decision to act firmly.
"You may recall that the Ken Gordon Committee which was commissioned and established under the former administration in May 2003 tendered a report and submitted as one of its main recommendations, a declaration of a limited State of Emergency.
"That, in July 2005, was rejected by the then Government. That rejection came on the heels of the bombing in Port of Spain, it came on the heels of a rampant and astronomically climbing murder rate, it came on the heels of what was then 6 kidnappings-for-ransom in one week.
"In that scenario, the then Government said that they had crime-fighting strategies in place which included the plan from Professor Mastrofsky, the blimp and certain other measures."
The Attorney General said the Government chose a limited State of Emergency as a measure to safeguard the population.
"Your fundamental human rights and freedoms mean precious little if life, limb and property cannot be guaranteed by the State," the AG said. He also called on citizens to help the protective services.
"I want to urge citizens who may have information about criminal activity, in the interest and defense and protection of your country. If you want to leave this country of ours a better place for your children, now is the time to speak up and now is the time to share that information with the police and the army."
He described what is taking place: "The war is on. We have declared a state of war against the bandits and the criminal elements and we will not stop until we win and recapture Trinidad and Tobago.
"This is not about the deprivation of human rights. It is in fact about the restoration of human rights for all our citizens in this country."
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