HUNGRY GANGSPM links alleged death threats against

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says threats against Defence Minister Wayne Sturge were expected due to the “much needed aggressive policing action” to root out gang activity over the past month.

In WhatsApp messages to Guardian Media yesterday, she added, “The gangs are being starved of funds due to the clampdown on URP and CEPEP, as well as actions taken by the police to dismantle their operations. They are attempting to retaliate and create disorder but the protective services will respond swiftly and mercilessly.”

However, the Prime Minister declined to respond to questions asking if she herself was taking any extra precautions, especially if she has to be in close proximity to Sturge.

Cabinet ministers have also expressed concern over the reported assassination plot.

Following a tour of the Besson Street Police Station, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, Justice Minister Devesh Maharaj said, “We are very concerned. This is our colleague and a minister, but there’s only so much we can say at this point in time.”

Pressed by reporters as to what fears Sturge’s colleagues had expressed, Maharaj said, “We are due to meet on it but yes, there is very grave concern.”

He added, “It seems that the intelligence reports, from what we read in the papers, show that it was a very real threat.”

He assured the authorities were “taking it very seriously.”

Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander, who also toured the station alongside Maharaj, confirmed Sturge consulted security agencies and briefed his family.

Asked directly if any report/s had been made to the T&T Police Service (TTPS), Alexander said, “Minister Sturge would have consulted with the relevant agencies, and once a threat comes forward or information about a threat comes forward, what normally happens is that you will also brief your family, so I know that was done.

“The security arrangement, I wouldn’t want to discuss that too much. However, we are doing everything that we can to ensure the safety of Mr Sturge and his family.”

The threat has been linked to Sturge’s refusal to install hand-picked personnel in State and constituency positions. Alleged conspirators include a lawyer with ties to the ruling United National Congress administration, two illegal quarry operators, and a senior military officer.

Guardian Media was told that the attorney was reportedly demanding the ability to select staff in Sturge’s ministry, the Toco/Sangre Grande constituency office (where Sturge is MP), the military, and the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP). Party sources also claimed pressure was being mounted on Sturge regarding employment, and there were plans by some individuals to stage a protest outside his constituency office. His security was tightened.

Persad-Bissessar yesterday reiterated that her Government’s suspension of the Com­mu­ni­ty-Based En­vi­ron­men­tal Pro­tec­tion and En­hance­ment Pro­gramme and review of the Unemployment Relief Programme had triggered pushback from what she described as the “deep state” and “the belly of the underworld,” affecting Ministers Barry Padarath, Khadijah Ameen and URP programme manager Feroze Khan.

On August 11, Persad-Bissessar had said the lives of Padarath, Ameen and Khan were threatened in connection with CEPEP and the URP.

The developments followed the cancellation of this year’s Independence Day Parade amid security concerns during the State of Emergency.

Requests for comment from Minister Sturge and Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro were not answered yesterday.

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