分类： society

A 38-year-old attorney, Shalini Dhanipersad, appeared virtually before Master Kaleisha Ambrose Persadsingh in the South Masters Court on October 16, facing ten counts of fraud. The charges include five counts related to forged valuation reports and five counts involving falsified Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) invoices. Dhanipersad, a resident of Mc Bean Village, Couva, was granted bail set at $250,000 with a surety and is scheduled to return to court for a status hearing on November 13. The charges were filed under Section 9 (I) of the Forgery Act, Chapter 11:13. The allegations stem from incidents on January 27, 2023, when Dhanipersad allegedly submitted forged documents at the Stamp Duty Section of the Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) in Port of Spain. The documents included five forged valuation reports, purportedly prepared by two chartered valuation surveyors and a property consultant, concerning properties in Mc Bean Village and Endeavour, Chaguanas. Additionally, she is accused of submitting forged WASA invoices, one of which falsely indicated an outstanding balance of $108, while the actual invoice showed a balance of $9,857.50. These documents were allegedly used to support draft deeds of conveyance for lands in Couva and Chaguanas. The charges were laid by Adesh Ramdeo, a Criminal Tax Investigator at the BIR’s Criminal Tax Investigation Unit. The State was represented by Cpl Mohess, while defence attorney Taradath Singh appeared for Dhanipersad.

In a world grappling with conflict, inequality, and moral decline, President Christine Carla Kangaloo emphasized the profound relevance of the 2025 Divali Nagar theme, ‘Loka Sangraha: The Welfare of the World,’ during her address at the 38th annual celebrations on October 15. Speaking at the event, she urged citizens to embrace selflessness and act for the greater good of humanity, drawing inspiration from the ancient Hindu principle of Loka Sangraha. ‘If each of us were to understand, embrace, and live by these principles, we would contribute to a more harmonious and resilient society,’ she asserted. Kangaloo, accompanied by her husband Kerwyn Garcia, attended the fifth night of festivities, which included a viewing of the Nagar’s exhibition on Loka Sangraha. She praised the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) for its dedication to preserving the nation’s cultural and spiritual heritage and congratulated Surujdeo Mangaroo on his recent appointment as NCIC president following the passing of his predecessor, Deoroop Teemal. Reflecting on Lord Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita, Kangaloo reminded attendees that duty must be performed not for personal gain but for the welfare of all. She highlighted the importance of kindness, even toward strangers and adversaries, as a cornerstone of global welfare. Kangaloo also commended teachers, community volunteers, and cultural leaders for their quiet, selfless contributions to the nation’s moral and social fabric. Drawing parallels between Divali’s symbolism of light overcoming darkness and the practice of Loka Sangraha, she encouraged citizens to act responsibly and compassionately in all aspects of life. ‘When we act selflessly for the welfare of others, we become bearers of that light ourselves,’ she said. Concluding her address, Kangaloo wished the nation a happy and holy Divali, expressing hope that the festival would inspire a renewed commitment to service, compassion, and unity. ‘May this year’s celebration ignite in each of us a desire to embody the teachings of Loka Sangraha, and in so doing, become a stronger and more resilient society,’ she said. Divali will be observed on October 20.

In a span of less than ten minutes on the evening of October 16, two food vendors in Chaguanas and Freeport fell victim to brazen robberies carried out by armed assailants. The incidents, which occurred at 10:55 pm and 11:04 pm respectively, involved suspects who fled the scenes in a similar silver-colored vehicle, raising questions about a possible connection between the crimes.

In the first robbery, a 43-year-old man from Trincity was targeted while he was at Darwish Arabian and Local Cuisine along the Chaguanas Main Road. Three men emerged from a silver Nissan AD Wagon, with one brandishing a firearm and another wielding a cutlass. Fearing for his safety, the victim handed over the cash register, which contained an undisclosed amount of money. The suspects quickly returned to their vehicle and sped away.

Just nine minutes later, a 34-year-old food vendor from Chase Village was approached by three men while conducting sales along Southern Main Road. One of the assailants was armed with a gun, and they demanded cash and valuables. The victim was searched, and $300 was taken from his pockets before the suspects escaped in a waiting silver wagon.

Authorities from the Chaguanas and Freeport Police Stations, including PC Mendoza and PC Dickson, are actively investigating the incidents. However, the police have not yet confirmed whether the two robberies are linked. The use of similar vehicles and the proximity in time and location have sparked speculation about a coordinated effort by the perpetrators.

Acting Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin has stated that any decision regarding an extension to the current state of emergency (SoE) will be deferred until the substantive Commissioner of Police (CoP), Allister Guevarro, returns from official duties. Guevarro is currently attending the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) annual conference in Denver, Colorado, and is expected to resume his role on October 23. The SoE is currently set to expire on October 28. Benjamin emphasized that while there has been a noticeable spike in murders this month, particularly in the North Eastern, Northern North, and Central divisions, this alone does not justify extending the emergency measures. He highlighted that the overall murder toll for the year stands at 299, significantly lower than the 501 recorded during the same period in 2024. Benjamin acknowledged the recent increase but stressed that policing strategies are being adapted to address the situation. He noted that the police are focusing on hotspots and priority offenders, especially with a long weekend approaching. Benjamin also pointed out that a decision of such magnitude should not be driven by panic, as statistics indicate a usual uptick in murders during the latter half of the year. He assured that the police are prepared to intensify operations, particularly as the Christmas season approaches, to curb the rise in crime.

In a recent column titled ‘Opposition to Garvey’s Visit’ published in Newsday on October 16, 2025, UWI historian Jerome Teelucksingh sheds light on the resistance Marcus Garvey faced during his planned visit to Trinidad in 1928. Teelucksingh highlights the critical stance taken by the Trinidad Guardian and the legislative council, predominantly composed of the elite class, who actively blocked Garvey’s visit. This move was met with strong objections from trade union leaders such as Arthur Cipriani and Timothy Roodal, who saw Garvey as a champion of black activism and workers’ rights. While Teelucksingh briefly mentions Garvey’s eventual visit to Trinidad in 1937, he omits details about the reception he received. The People, an Afrocentric newspaper, noted that Garvey ‘appears to have little sympathy for the poor,’ a sentiment that may have influenced his reception. Further insights from Kevin Baldeosingh’s historical work, ‘From Colony to Curse,’ reveal that Garvey’s Trinidadian supporters were largely unaware of his broader ideological stance. Garvey’s opposition to American trade unions, as evidenced by his statement that ‘the only convenient friend the Negro worker or labourer has at the present time is the white capitalist,’ likely extended to his interactions with Trinidadian trade unionists, fostering a complex and contentious dynamic.