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It is getting hot in middle Earth.
Today, a purported internal Police document was relayed from the Head of Special branch, which claimed that the Jamaat-Al-Muslimeen (JAM) was “moving arms and ammunitions to the North and San Fernando” and had planned to “target the Prime Minister’s residence” and free the eleven persons charged with the murder of Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal and the Vindra Naipaul-Coleman case.
For some still undetermined reason, the Jamaat apparently does not also wish to lower the price of super gasoline, safeguard corruption-accused Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner, pay the “Women Soca Warriors” their unpaid match fees and finally ascertain the truth behind Section 34.
Or maybe that is on the to-do list for next week.
Police Commissioner Stephen Williams confirmed that the memo was authentic.
So, let Mr Live Wire see what he can do with this.
First, let us look at the sudden lust for freedom from Jamaat jailbirds.
Last Friday, three prisoners—two of them were Jamaat members—escaped from the Port of Spain Prisons after receiving ammunition and a non-functioning grenade, allegedly from a visit.
The two Jamaat members, Hassan Atwell and Allan “Scanny” Martin, were shot dead within 24 hours. Only Christopher “Monster” Selby got back to prison alive.
The media claimed Atwell was killed by the “Rasta City” gang. They did not attribute this information to anyone but suggested it came from the Police.
Mr Live Wire already spoke about the ramifications of such an irresponsible leak. And today’s Police memo seems to read from the same hymn book.
Is it not a paradox for a “Confidential” document to be addressed to “All Field (sic) Section?” And what crime did “Spell Check” commit to be tortured in that manner?
That document was always meant to go outdoors and Special Branch or whoever the originator was might as well have CC’d the thing to Mark Bassant and get it over with.
Just last month, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social and Welfare Association secretary and Inspector Michael Seales warned officers to be wary of an attempt to use them to create a state of emergency.
“The fact is that the intelligence coming to us at the association is that there is a concerted effort to bring a situation about that they provoke the membership of the Police Service so that the membership will react outwardly,” said Seales, on the TV6 Morning Edition show of June 24. “And so let me say publicly and appeal to the membership: please do not be duped into doing anything foolish. Because the reason why we are saying that is because we are hearing that there is a position to provoke the police so they can call a state of emergency to delay the elections…
“So we are admonishing every single member of the Police Service, do not do anything that will provoke that. That is what we are hearing in terms of intelligence.”
If Seales, who was suspended for his outburst, is concerned about officers being pawns in a higher Game of Thrones, then recent incidents suggest that the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) and the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen Imam Yasin Abu Bakr should be just as worried.
Let’s revisit the memo.
Rajaee Ali, the presumed man-of-action at the Carapo Mosque and son of its Imam Hassan Ali, has been incarcerated for the past eight months for conspiracy to murder DJ Kevaughn “Lurbz” Savory.
The accused men in the Naipaul-Coleman case, who, incidentally, are not all Jamaat members, have been behind bars for eight years.
It is quite a coincidence that the Jamaat would suddenly decide to free all and sundry and strike at Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar within six weeks of Trinidad and Tobago’s general election.
Why Persad-Bissessar? Is the Jamaat upset that she will not debate Opposition Leader Keith Rowley?
And, with almost the entire Carapo Mosque frontline behind bars, who is coordinating an attack as ambitious as one on the presumably beefed-up Prisons and the Prime Minister’s residence?
It is plausible. The best rumours always are.
As we all know, the Jamaat has history for this sort of thing. In another convenient masterstroke, news of a potential uprising falls within the remembrance week of the attempted coup of 27 July 1990.
Is the Carapo Mosque, like the Jamaat leadership 25 years ago, preparing a violent response to the perception of State victimisation?
Or is a ‘high hand’ in the Police Service laying the groundwork for a bloody assault on Carapo? And, having failed to initiate a gang war with claims—through the media—that Rasta City shot their brother in the back, is someone raising the stakes in their provocation of Carapo muslims?
Insert conspiracy theory here:
An effort to clean the trail that leads to the mastermind behind the Seetahal murder?
A postponement for the general election?
Lurbz wants to make a “tack back” but would like to see his would-be assassins in funeral boxes first?
Sport Minister Brent Sancho (left) presumably got tips on handling Anil Robert’s portfolio from, eh, DJ Lurbz.
Does any theory make more or less sense than the other?
In 1995, the Jamaat’s attorney, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, became Trinidad and Tobago’s Attorney General with a UNC Government that the Muslimeen supported.
Yet, it was under Maharaj that the State won a massive victory over the Jamaat and the rights to 12 parcels of land. The Jamaat claimed that it was double crossed by their attorney who allowed an appeal to lapse.
And how did the murderous revolutionaries enact revenge? They released secret tapes of their meetings with Maharaj to the media.
The point is: the Jamaat does not always attempt to solve its issues with rifles, and they have not tried in quite some time. Even if some shadowy figures are trying to convince the public otherwise.
Abu Bakr issued a release in response to the rumours:
(Courtesy Heritage Radio)
“We would like the police to clarify (the authenticity of the leaked memo),” stated the Jamaat. “We also urged the TTPA to act within the constraints of the law and to take every precaution to avoid discrimination against Muslims.
“There is no threat to the population of Trinidad and Tobago by the Jamaat Al Muslimeen. Our issues are being dealt with legally.
“There appears to be persons spreading rumours with a view to causing mischief to destabilise our country.”
And, in an unintended touch of farce, he added:
“As a people, we need to stand united and to support each other. We thank the public for their continued support.”
Cue mass eye-rolling across the country.
(Courtesy Jyoti Communication)
The Jamaat does not enjoy public support. It never did. It is why that group is the perfect target for such action in a country where extra-judicial killings are cheered by not only the man on the street but the National Security Minister.
In this Game of Thrones, there are a few armies moving at once, whether literally or figuratively, in a fight for survival and spoils—on the streets and at the polls.
Thus far, Rowley’s response has been muted. But then what can he say without making things worse?
To quote saucy wildling, Ygritte: “You know nothing, Jon Snow.”
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Mr. Live Wire is an avid news reader who translates media reports for persons who can handle the truth. And satire. Unlike Jack Nicholson, he rarely yells.
Ting to cry allyuh laughing? Revisit the CoE into 1990 and check out Rawle Raphael’s evidence. The man was in hysterics but it was deadly serious stuff. I feel allyuh get a lil dose ah what he had..
So if they had all this info why did the events of last Friday occur? Why weren’t officers place in strategic places as well to observe the potential terrorists and apprehend them with the grenades? So the prison officers who aided and abetted these prisoners were in on the conspiracy as well? Sigh I feeling I just read the script for the next episode of 24: Live another day
Nicole, that is how they should have been if they were expecting something to happen, not after the monster bolted! 🙂
Well yuh know Selby is a dead man walking.
I passed outside the jail on Frederick Street last night about 9….4 tactical prison officers on each corner…and 2 police vehicles with about 4 officers in each one parked outside…not sure what was happening on Pembroke Street side
He probably missed when they jumped into the escape vehicle.
But if they were pulling off slowly, it was another set of police involved in the chase that led to the escape vehicle crashing? Was it really only one police car outside the jail that day? the jail with more than one entrance/exit? Are these patrols still happening?
And look how slowly he pulled off with a dying man. Was he afraid the escapees would come back?
If that man doesn’t at least answer to a tribunal then God help us.
And of course PC hotfoot can’t even tell us who threw the damn grenade because he was pelting pace down the road!
Lasana Liburd and Chabeth Haynes have me under my desk right now eh
I suspect those grenades had “toys r us” all over them. Lol
They should ask for their money back because the grenades don’t work…
The big question… What is the real motive for causing panic?
Exhibit A in Police’s use of media to destabilise country:
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2015-07-30/security-source-jailbreak-part-bigger-plot
Unless you interfere with an American, you’re good to go. That is the only passport that is worth anything in the country.
Amazing that Ali was fingered more than a year ago and fast-forward to 2015 he’s arrested for the murder. Timing is everything. “Speaking of blunt”….where is two -pull anyway? I’m guessing a PNM govt might have to extradite him here to face charges.
you know how long he here. He was here was Marcia Henville’s muder 😉
But, yeah, I think that is a thought worth following.
Actually Rose-Marie Ingrid Lemessy-Forde, I had made that link between LifeSport and Dana Seetahal’s killer since May 2014:
http://wired868.com/2014/05/26/sport-ministry-allegedly-handed-taxpayers-millions-to-murder-accused/
Good point Lasana Liburd. I think Rowley really hit too close for comfort that night. When he made the link behind Dana’s killing and the life sport. Common denominator is Rajaee Ali. We already know that he’s charged for trying to bump off a thorn in Anil’s side.
When we turn our eyes on the JAM we take them off the PP and their gross inefficiencies, and misbehaviour that has been the theme for the last 5 years, …so they can peddle whatever election platform half-truths without question.
I am torn between that and them looking for a reason to exterminate witnesses from Dana case.
Trying to get someone else to say we need an SOE
So as much as there is very little love for the Jamaat here, we have to be careful not to jump to conclusions.
What is the number one theory behind the misdirection at the moment?
They wanted it to look authentic! Lol!
After seeing the acting cop on tv, I’m convinced he’s working with the government to try to destabilize the country. Why else would be be at pains to explain that the document was in fact authentic and originated from the head of the special branch. But then goes on to gloss over the contents of the memo as “rumour”. And the memo starts with “information has been obtained”. I don’t get it…since when is information obtained by the special branch (no less.)..classified as rumour??? So the focus is now to find out who leaked a confidential document that appears to have been stuck to a notice board somewhere. How confidential could something remain if it was sent to All Section? On another note…why isn’t there at least one ‘grammar police’ who could have vetted this dam memo before they leaked it to us!
i thought he was working with them when the man who spoke of a plot to give rise to a SOE was suspended 😉
There are no saints in this cockfight.
This was a great piece. Right lb point
The most perceptive commentator in Trinidad and Tobago.
Whoever wrote it needs counseling on writing. Then again, passing English is probably not a mandatory requirement to join either of the forces.
“Cue …eye rolling” lol ?
Note that sending a document to almost everyone on the force usually isn’t the best way to keep a document confidential… But it is the best way to make it impossible to know who leaked it. 😉
Exactly
You took the words from my fingertips, Lasana
Who types “Confidential” on a document and sends it to “All Field(s)” Vernal Damion Cadogan?
Plenty big boys in the Police should be working for Choo Kung!
They’ll stop at nothing to rile up the public. That turnout in Sando last night put the fear of “Abu” in them.
Great job Lasana Liburd. I maintain this government poses a clear and present danger to the people of T&T.
Thanks Asha 🙂
Thing is the Acting COP claimed the memo was authentic bad spelling et al. Well we know the qualifications to get into the police service but his response was even more confusing. Instead of dealing with the contents of the memo when questioned by reporters he decided to focus on finding out who in the police service leaked the memo and what punishment befits the crime. So what really going on??
Great piece, Lasana Liburd
Mexico,eh? May they all get Montezuma’s Revenge !!
Game of Groans! I love it! Hahahaaa
Lasana no one could say it better, so much problems with these people smh
The chronicle continues…i feel like i live in Mexico…i pray this is not the road we headin dwn
Heading. I feel we there already.
I agree?
The TT version should be called ‘Game of Groans’…..
Nice one! 🙂
One massive meeting on Harris Promanade………………….PANIC!!!
People have to be really careful here. And the media has to take stock at how they are possibly being used in a war that is above their heads.
I don’t think people really understand how badly the UNC needs to stay in power. How desperate.
The media has to be careful as to what they report as well. But then again we have people in the banks tell everyone who has what
Somebody got access to letterhead and decided to make mischief, hence why the document is “real.” But the info is most likely inaccurate.
Well, the Commissioner of Police said the memo is real. But the contents are unproven.
They are in the habit of sending group emails with unproven info at the Police Service, it seems.
Nail on head!
Real GOT business going on in this banana yes
The die was cast when they took in Abu Baka in for questioning they were getting ready to initiate the final swoop to start the ball rolling, that meeting in San Fernando last night has them even more worried now. A sea of Red in South bigger than all of their rallies and the Red Steel did not have to buss in any so called supporters.
Well said. The CoP is saying that this is equivocal to a rumour. Then why were words like is, are or will used instead of may, alleged or could seeing that an investigation was now being carried out?
You’re on it Lasana!!!! Yuh bored or wha!!! ???
Very good Article Liburd… I observed no mention of the police officer that was killed and I know you were not around media circles in 1990 , so you may not be aware of the games Abu plays … after multiple raids to the Jamaat Compound we heard the very same rethoric being uttered …prior to the Transmission of shots fired at the army guard at the Mosque and then at Police Headquarters and the Attempted Coup that followed what preceeded was the same rumours. .. conspiracy theories and Ole talk that we see now. Excuse my punctuation but as someone who fought in 1990 and still here to see all this seemingly repeat itself .. I’ll just say like my Grandmother … *if it smells like shit …. it probably is shit .