Published:
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Nelson Street, East Port-of-Spain, turned into a battleground this morning when a fracas broke out among residents of Nelson Street, Duncan Street, Laventille, and Beetham.
According to residents, around 7.30 am, residents of Nelson Street fired shots at rival gang members of Duncan Street.
Gunshots were also heard coming from the hills east of the East Dry River, and about 40 “outsiders” were noticed in the area, residents said.
DCP Mervyn Richardson said he received a call and upon arrival he found a “number of miscreants invading the place.”
“ They were all over and there was general chaos in the area,” he said.
The police cordoned off the area on Nelson Street between Queen Street and Prince Street and additional police officers, army, and air support were called out.
He said all the men scattered upon arrival of the police, some of them returning to Laventille and Beetham.
Two men were arrested and a third was stabbed, reports stated.
The entire situation was triggered by a fight over a contract to build a basketball court in the area, Richardson added.
Saying that the police had the situation under control, Richardson added: “It’s happening too regular and we must do something about it...we must not tolerate this in a civilised society like T&T.”
Recalling several protests against alleged “police brutality” in recent times, Richardson said the police were still determined to win the fight against the criminal elements in society.