Valencia squatters yesterday blocked the State from a planned demolition exercise scheduled for today.
In an emergency hearing Justice Frank Seepersad yesterday granted a conservatory order (an injunction) in the Port-of-Spain High Court against the State from entering and trespassing on lands at Pine Avenue, Valencia.
The High Court’s decision by Seepersad comes six days after the homes of 15 squatters were demolished by crews sent by the Commissioner of State Lands.
Police and soldiers supervised the exercise.
After the incident, residents set fire to debris blocking the Valencia Stretch leading to a massive traffic gridlock in East Trinidad.
The flattened homes were reportedly valued at between $91,000 and $800,000 were built on State land.
Following the incident, residents called for answers as to who gave instructions to demolish their concrete structures as they were not served with any prior notices by the State.
Attorney Gerald Ramdeen yesterday made out the case on behalf of his clients Annesa Maharaj and Ashminee Joseph of Pine Avenue.
Yesterday, Ramdeen said the order will prevent the State from a proposed demolition today.
“This clearly demonstrates an oppressive and arbitrary exercise of power by the Government in relation to a community that voted heavily in favour of the Government both at the general elections and local government elections,” said Ramdeen.
Ramdeen said the case will come up for hearing on Wednesday.
The order stated that “the actions of the defendant, its servants and or agents in trespassing upon the lands that are in the possession of the claimants was unlawful and in breach of the fundamental rights to the enjoyment of property.
“The threat to continue this unlawful action is real and extant and the Court has the power and duty to protect the rights of the claimants from the threatened action by the Defendant, its servants and or agents.”
In the order it stated that on May 15, agents of the State demolished the home of Maharaj and informed (Maharaj and Joseph) that they would be returning on May 22 to complete the demolition of the Joseph’s dwelling house.
The order stated that any such action by the State would be in breach of the law.
Ramdeen said his clients pointed out they have exercised control and possession over the said lands for in excess of 30 years coupled with the intention to possess the lands as their own.
Ramdeen is asking that the State to compensate Maharaj from the recent demolition exercise.
