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alexk
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Totally uncalled for.
That’s how residents of Beetham Gardens responded to flood waters being doused on acting Attorney General Fitzgerald Hinds and councillor Akil Audain during a visit to their community which was under knee-high waters following torrential rains.
Yesterday, the residents voiced displeasure at the disrespectful actions by those who turned on their Laventille West MP causing him to make a hasty retreat out of the area on Tuesday.
At Seventeen Street, a stone’s throw from where Hinds was attacked, Hildred Morgan, a Cepep worker said was totally against what happened.
“I not supporting what the few residents did to our MP. Honestly, this was uncalled for…the way they behaved. It was not the time and place for that,” said Morgan, who was busy pushing out water from her home yesterday.
Against her wall, Morgan had a soaked mattress, shoes and a sofa drying in the sun.
“Hinds come to see the damage in here and he had to run for his life. So those who needed the help were left stranded. We had to battle on our own after Hinds left. And we still fighting up hours later. It’s almost noon and we ain’t get no food items or mattresses from the authorities. No relief supplies whatsoever.”
A truck from the Port-of-Spain Corporation was seen picking up discarded water-soaked items placed at the side on the pavement of several streets.
Morgan confessed that a few residents had made it worse for those who were in need of genuine assistance.
“I don’t know if Hinds will ever come back in here seeing how he was treated,” Morgan said.
Resident Lessie Smith said what Hinds faced was an unwarranted and unjust attack.
“The man come to help we and they insulted and humiliated him. That bad. How could I support that?” he complained.
At Sixteenth Street, Nigel Sankar said the actions by those who threw the water on Hinds and Audain was not a reflection of the entire community, as there are good people in the area, some of whom suffer at the hands of others.
“That is what stigmatise our community and those who are in desperate need would never get help,” Sankar said.
Several calls to Hinds’ cellphone yesterday went unanswered and he did not respond to a text message seeking comment.
ACTING AG FILES POLICE COMPLAINT
Acting Attorney General and Laventille West MP Fitzgerald Hinds made a report to police against a group of residents of Beetham Gardens who doused him with floodwater during a tour of the community on Tuesday.
Police sources said that Hinds went to the Besson Street Police Station to make the report yesterday. Hinds refused to confirm or deny the reason for his visit when asked by reporters outside the station.
Guardian Media was unable to confirm whether local government councillor for the area, Akil Audian, who accompanied Hinds on the tour of the flood-ravaged community and who was also soaked with floodwater, made a similar report.
Now that the incident is reported, police are expected to visit the community to interview those who were involved and those who witnessed the incident. No arrests were made up to late yesterday.
Investigations are continuing.
—Derek Achong