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“[…] What kind of country are we living in if our trained soldiers are behaving this way in broad daylight?
“[…] Someone with this kind of violent temper and lack of respect for civilians has no place in uniform. If this is how he behaves in public, just imagine what he could be like in private…”
The following Letter to the Editor on the assault of a motorist in an incident of road rage, supposedly committed by a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, was submitted to Wired868 by Derek Ghouralal of Couva:
(Click HERE to see video on Facebook.)
I am writing with great sadness and anger after watching the disturbing video that has been circulating on social media and featured on Ian Alleyne’s Crime Watch.
The video shows a frightening road rage incident on the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway near the Chaguanas Flyover, where a man believed to be a soldier from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) violently attacked an innocent van driver.
This kind of behaviour from someone who is supposed to serve and protect the country is not only disgusting; it is completely unacceptable and must not go unpunished.
In the video, a black moped-like car believed to be driven by the soldier, is seen directly in front of a van in the middle of the highway. The alleged soldier is then seen hitting the driver repeatedly on his head some solid forceful blows before casually getting back in his vehicle and driving off toward Montrose.
Witnesses and social media reports suggest that the beating was much worse before the recording even started, and some even said the alleged soldier may have used an object to hit the victim. If this is true, then it makes the situation even more serious.
It is claimed that this all started because the van driver blew his horn at the alleged soldier’s car for driving too slowly on the highway. That is all. A simple horn and this man responded by jumping out his car, flaunting his firearm (weapon), and attacking someone like a common street bully.
What kind of country are we living in if our trained soldiers are behaving this way in broad daylight?
This incident was not only violent, but it was also humiliating. The victim was attacked in public on a busy highway. Many drivers saw what happened with their own eyes, and now thousands more have seen the video online.
The shame, trauma, and mental stress that this innocent man must be facing cannot be overstated. He didn’t fight back. He didn’t pull a weapon. He was helpless in that moment, and that alleged soldier used his position and military training to take full advantage of him.
This kind of behaviour from a member of the Defence Force is a disgrace. It reflects poorly on the entire TTDF, and it creates fear among civilians.
If our soldiers and police officers think they are above the law, then who is really protecting us?
Photo: Office of the President.
Too many of them act like they can do whatever they want—slap people, pull rank, and intimidate civilians with no consequences. This soldier didn’t care that he disrupted traffic or that people were watching. That shows a man who believes he is untouchable and that is dangerous.
People across Trinidad and Tobago are deeply upset by this. Many have said that this soldier should be removed from the Defence Force immediately, charged for assault, and have his driving license taken away. And I agree.
Someone with this kind of violent temper and lack of respect for civilians has no place in uniform. If this is how he behaves in public, just imagine what he could be like in private.
The Defence Force and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) must take this incident seriously. We are begging the TTPS to find this man and deal with him the same way they would deal with any other citizen. Let him feel the full weight of the law.
Uniform or not, badge or not—no one is above the law. We need justice for that van driver, who is likely still in pain, both physically and emotionally.
This video shook many of us to the core. It reminded us that sometimes the very people we trust to protect us are the ones who abuse their power. But it also reminded us of something else: we, the citizens, must speak out when wrong is done.
Photo: Chevaughn Christopher/ CA-images/ Wired868.
We cannot stay quiet while bullies wear uniforms and walk free.
To the victim, I want to say: you did not deserve this. You did nothing wrong. And I hope you get justice. To the authorities, I say: please, do what is right.
Punish this soldier. Show the country that no one is above the law; not even those trained to enforce it.
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I am not optimistic that the relevant authorities will investigate this situation as outlined.
It is for this very reason that instances of this nature will continue unabated as apparently there are no consequences for such reprehensible and uncivilized behaviour in T&T.