Equal treatment needed

Oct 30, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

The question of same treatment by our institutions has been raised once again with the incident involving the attempted arrest of former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Slowe.
Let me say that I agree that Mr. Slowe should not have been arrested. After all he returned voluntarily to answer the charges made against him. Indeed he was entering the court on his own when the arrest was attempted.
The same situation existed in the case of Dr. Ashni Singh and Mr. Winston Brassington both of whom, like Mr. Slowe, returned from abroad on their own to answer charges made against them. However, they were put in hand cuffs and had their feet chained.
More recently, the owner of Sleep Inn went to the court on his own steam to answer charges of COVID violation. He needed to walk less than six steps but was put in handcuffs and leg iron. The police officer who put Mr. Bacchus in chains told him he was sorry but was under orders to do so.
Clearly, we have a difference in treatment by our police and courts in how our citizens are being treated.
I wonder if Dr. Singh and Mr. Brassington were treated that way because they worked far beyond the call of duty to develop our country during a PPP/C administration. Were they punished for being PPP/C supporters? It appears so.
Mr. Bacchus is known to have many friends including leaders in the PPP. Was putting him in chains to walk about five steps a deliberate attempt to embarrass him because of his association? It appears so.
We need to be even handed, professional and reasonable in dealing with these issues.
Stop the double standards!

Sincerely,
Donald Ramotar
Former President