Kublalsingh Arrested For Protest

Wayne Kublalsingh

Environmental activist and head of the Highway Re-Route Movement, Dr Wayne Kublalsingh, was arrested this morning as workers attempted to resume construction of the Debe to Mon Desir segment of the Solomon Hochoy Highway extension to Point Fortin.

Kublalsingh had led a group of protesters to the proposed construction site of the Mon Desir interchange.

Resident Fazila Ali told the Express "This morning we came here because we heard they were going to start work on the site. We gathered at our camp and the workers were at (Construtora) OAS camp. Then we saw about 15 police officers, so we knew something was happening." Ali said the officers kept vigil as a backhoe operator entered the machine.

"When the driver went inside the backhoe, we walked over and stood in front of the vehicle. We formed a human barricade and refused to move. The driver got out and left and we returned to our camp. A few minutes later he (the driver) went inside the backhoe again and we went in front of it again," she said.

Kublalsingh Ends Hunger Strike after 21 days

Dr. Kublalsingh, Activist, and Re-route Hunger Striker

After 21 days without food and water, environmental activist Dr Wayne Kublalsingh ended his hunger strike yesterday.

Kublalsingh, who was protesting the Debe to Mon Desir section of the Point Fortin Highway, said he agreed to the terms of reference hammered out after a two-day mediation meeting between the Joint Consultative Council (JCC) and the Government.

Just before 6 p.m., the Kublalsingh family announced the activist had accepted the changes to the initial proposal and had ended the hunger strike.

In a media release, Kublalsingh said the Highway Re-Route Movement read the details of the proposal and found that it contained the relevant particulars they had requested, including the undertaking of a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed Debe to Mon Desir section of the highway, a social impact assessment and a hydrological, terrestrial and marine ecological report of the affected area.

“If I am to put into words how I feel now, it would be that I feel an enormous gratitude to the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” Kublalsingh said in brief telephone interview.

The newly detailed terms of reference that the parties agreed to are not too different from Kublalsingh’s initial proposal and request that was sent to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar weeks ago.

The one bone of contention remained over whether work would continue on the now contentious segment of the highway during the two months the independent committee would need to undertake its own review.

“No work shall be done on the proposed Debe to Mon Desir highway since this has not been officially handed over to the contractors,” said Kublalsingh.

In an addendum to his statement, he said the National Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (Nidco) told the review committee that “preliminary works will be done on the Fyzabad and Siparia exchanges, but that no compulsory acquisitions will take place and no homes removed during the period of the review”.

“We have spoken to Dr Carson Charles (head of Nidco), asking him to respect the sensitivities of people in the area, and we are satisfied that no home acquisitions would take place in period. They will also confine their works to earth removal and grubbing,” Kublalsingh said.

The independent committee will also accept submissions from the Highway Re-Route Movement and affected residents and take those into consideration as well. This was part of the Kublalsingh’s original proposal but was not included in the initial draft proposal between the Government and JCC after their meeting on Monday.

By 7 p.m. yesterday, the JCC, the body at the centre of the mediation talks between Kublaslsingh and the Government, issued a statement outlining the frame of reference to which Kublalsingh agreed.

Afra Raymond, head of the JCC, said in the release that they regarded the finalisation of this issue as a “solid framework for the transparent ventilation of the matters in dispute”.

“After consultation with the Government and the Highway Re-Route Movement, the JCC is pleased to confirm that it has appointed an independent working group to examine the several matters of concern on the disputed Debe to Mon Desir segment of the Solomon Hochoy Highway to Point Fortin,” he said.

The terms of reference include the appointment of Dr James Armstrong as head of the independent committee that will undertake, inter alia, the three studies as suggested by Kublalsingh, and include persons from various disciplines.

“This is a real advance in the development of our country, so we would like all parties to work in good faith within this process. The Independent Working Group will be inviting oral and written submissions within this exercise. The civil society groups are inviting Dr Kublalsingh to stop his protest action now, so that we can have his submissions and active participation in this important matter,” said Raymond.

Reproduced from  Trinidad express

BREAKING NEWS:- Samad Arrested for Making a Citizen Arrest of Kublalsingh

Human rights activist Ishmael Samad was detained by police earlier today for attempting to make a citizen's arrest of environmentalist Dr Wayne Kublalsingh at his hunger strike camp on Gray Street in St Clair.
The reports are that Samad approached Kublalsingh who was lying on his gurney and made an attempt to pull him off. However, Kublalsingh supporters intervened sparking a confrontation with Samad.
Police quickly stepped in and detained Samad to appease the situation. He has since been taken to the Port of Spain Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further questioning.

Reproduced from Express Trinidad

Jack: Kublalsingh Killing Himself, and he Should Do it Quickly!!

Minister of National Security,
Jack Warner addressing supporters last night
at a meeting at Debe High School.

In a meeting for supporters at the United National Congress (UNC) last night, National Security Minister Jack Warner defended Government's decision to build the Mon Desir segment of the Point Fortin Highway, describing hunger striker Dr Wayne Kublalsingh as a conman who was attempting to blackmail the country.

Warner said Kublalsingh, now in his 13th day without food or water, was eating at night He told party supporters that Kublalsingh was staying at homes in Maraval and Marabella and "eating more hearty than you".

He indicated that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar will not be held responsible if Kublalsingh dies. 

What was surprisingly said by Warner was, "They say the Prime Minister is killing Wayne Kublalsingh, but he is killing himself and he better do it quickly! Don’t feel sorry for him. Kublalsingh is trying to blackmail the country and blackmail the Prime Minister."

Kublalsingh's father, Ray Kublalsingh, refused to respond to Warner's statements. Ray said that Warner was "a non-entity.  indicating that his family is respectable, and that they have worked hard to achieve what they have and they are supporting his son. "I heard everything he said about my son and my family and I don't even want to entertain that. I will not respond," he said.

Warner then attacked his supporters and visitors, "Look at the people who are trying to ride the Kublalsingh bandwagon! What is their motivation? Is it that they are against the highway? Or are they there because they have some grudge against the Prime Minister? Every one of them has a political wound and they are looking for revenge. Every single one of them has an axe to grind against Kamla. Their presence, kissing Kublalsingh’s hand and patting his forehead, Verna spitting up, has nothing to do with the highway. They see him as a stepping stone for their own political agendas and aspirations."

Persad-Bissessar at the same meeting did not address Kublalsingh's hunger strike in her speech. Instead she told supporters about the benefits of the highway to Point Fortin. She indicated that a meeting was held with the Highway Re Route Movement in March and a technical report was produced. 

Kublalsingh Remembered, History would Show One Man Stood against a Tyrant!

Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh

History would show that One Man stood against tens of thousands. History would show that One Man fought for a Cause he believed in by laying down his life. History would show that one man, one brave man stood against the might of the State, knowing with all absolute that he stood the least of chances of victory yet, he fought ever relentlessly without fail. History would show that one free man stood against a tyrant Government, that one free man stood against many, willing to lay down his life for a Cause considered lost and of little value among an impervious, insentient Soulless Nation. 

This act would not be consigned to oblivion, lost, repressed or unremembered. Rather, this act would occupy the memories of history by and through your children's Generations and their children's children. This act of immense bravery and grit would ever be revered and venerated as one man endeavored to rescue but a Few from mysticism and tyranny. This act would inspire those throughout the ages that Free men can triumph over severity and absolutism. That free men can change the course of fate and usher in a future brighter than anything they can imagine. 

History would show that one man remained resolute to his cause, that although limited in his resources, his passion and drive remained chaste, undebased or unadulterated; Faithful through the end. History would show that one man stood selfless to a noble cause. That one man shed his blood, sweat and tears forsaking all, but Mother Earth. History would show that one man lay in a cot beneath a Silent tent, armed with but a sword. This sword built of determination and tenacity pierced the hearts and souls of many and though beaten, battered and torn one man rose a hundred times with long stares of boldness and bravery, tapping his shield of  persistence against the Mighty Army (the state) that stood before him. 

History would show that in this republic, men fought with their lives to ensure every citizen would have a voice. History would show that the world would have seen a demonstration of Will, Volition, Desire and Unwavering resistance to a cause embodied by one frail man. A man so driven by purpose, A man resolved in his intent,  A man pure and steadfast to his calling. This “Re-route!” movement would long be cited and remembered and forever enshrined in the memory of this retched land we call a Nation. 

 "Long live a Hero" ...“Long live Kublalsingh” .

Indians Against Indians: A Three Way Battle in Trinidad.

Prime Minister
Kamla Persad Bissessar

Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh
Environmentalist

In what has now become a three way battle between our Indian brothers and sister, the high way re route struggle has now seen a third contestant appearing on the battle front today in opposition to the position taken by Dr. Kublalsingh. A copycat hunger striker from Penal/Debe burst on the scene today in support of the very issue that  Dr. Kublalsingh now fights against for a 7th day.

Mystery Hunger Striker

This hunger striker showed up among scores of supporters demonstrating their support for the highway being built in the controversal proposed manner. this hunger striker's camp was erected in Penal near Kamla Persad Bissessar's Constituency office. He has now calling for an audience with the Prime Minister as he would not eat until the PM meets with him.  The interesting aspect of this entire "war" is that the High Way Re-route movement's proposal removes the highway from  passing within three communities inclusive of the Prime Minister's village of Siparia. It leaves much to be consider as to why Dr. Kublalsingh is now feeling the full length of the State's Might even from a former comrade in the person of Kamla Persad Bissessar in fighting against the Aluminum Smelter proposed by the former PNM regime.  Is it the a matter of State against Kublalsingh or is it a matter of Personalities/Persons against Kublalsingh. 

It is unfortunate that even while Kublalsingh begins to show signs of extreme frailness and dehydration the powers that be continues to display signs of politicking even at the expense of a life. Clearly, the PP government must be aware that a "Death" on their watch can never resound into becoming a positive for their cause. Had this been the response of an Afro Trinidadian to an East Indian protester surely it would have been painted with race303 by some political painters. However, the reverse is perpetrated only to the support of scores of unconscionable PP defenders. 

Today an Indian struggle rages on a midst an Indian resistance. One which has ambushed our beloved Country and  arrested the minds and infused venom and divisiveness among our people. Persons who would not have been directly affected by this minuscule situation has now become surrounded and affected by the current state of affairs, even as the international community watches on. There must an amicable end to this hostile situation. We do not need to see someone hospitalized or near death's door for him or her to have an audience with our Prime Minister. Even if persons may believe that his actions can set a dangerous precedence  Kublalsingh should not be left to his self imposed fate of death as he is not asking for change, he is not asking for money, he is not asking a signature to aide in his cause, all he seeks is an audience with the PM even if that might be two minutes. 

Today, I urge the Government and all parties involved to allow Good Sense to Prevail. As Panday rightfully said "where there is a human problem, there is a human answer".