Oh gosh, stop!” the cry of Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration

[size=12pt]Oh gosh, stop!” the cry of Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration after seeing the body of the country’s latest murder victim with his head blown off.[/size]


By Carolyn Kissoon carolyn.kissoon@trinidadexpress.com


“Oh gosh, stop!”
That was the cry of Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration, Rodger Samuel, after seeing the body of the country’s latest murder victim with his head blown off.
Speaking to reporters yesterday during a tour of beaches along the southwestern coastline affected by the recent oil spills, Samuel said he was at the scene of this country’s 20th murder in Arima on Tuesday night.

“I was just about four minutes after the incident. I stood there and saw a young man with his head blown off. I understand he was shot five times in his head. It brought tears to my eyes and I became emotional because it is something I have been saying over and over. And here it is I am driving home from church and it happened there. It affected me tremendously and I felt, oh gosh, stop! It has to stop, we can’t go on like this,” he said.

The murder victim was identified as Derek Pina, 21, who was ambushed and shot at the corner of Green and St Joseph Streets, Arima, around 8.30 p.m.Samuel, who was accompanied by Petrotrin officials and workers involved in the clean-up exercise, said the current murder toll was outrageous and cannot continue.
He renewed his plea for the return of capital punishment—death by hanging.

And he noted his ministry was involved in planning a national day of prayer and fast for Trinidad and Tobago.
“I am an advocate that capital punishment is the law and also it is a biblical law. God said that if a man sheds man blood, then by man should his blood be shed. And when the law sheds your blood, that’s not murder. That’s obeying God’s command,” he said.

Asked whether he supported a call for the cancellation of Carnival activities in light of the crime situation, Samuel said, “Anything that would pull us back together. Anything that would cause us to think and not allow the onslaught to continue, I will support it. Anything. And if it means going and pray all day.”
Samuel said he intends to raise his concerns in Parliament as soon as the opportunity arises.

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  [left]People should not be judgmental of Sanjeev Rambarran who killed his ex-wife Dian Paladee before committing suicide because everyone has a problem of some sort.[/left]
And they need to stop blaming the government for every wrong that takes place in the country and take responsibility for their actions.
This is according to Pundit Sunil Seetahal-Maharaj who officiated the funeral service for Rambarran yesterday.
Paladee, 48, was found shot dead at the hands of her ex-husband at a St Augustine apartment Friday.
Rambarran turned his licensed firearm on himself.
Paladee was the daughter of Lall Paladee, the founder of retail chain Pennywise Cosmetics.
Rambarran’s service and internment took place at Belgrove’s Funeral Home and Crematorium, Coffee Street, San Fernando.
Seetahal-Maharaj said conducting the funeral service was one of the most difficult funeral services he had to conduct because he knew both Rambarran and Paladee well.
He said there were many opinions formed about Rambarran and stories told concerning the tragedy but citizens needed to face reality.
“We will stand and judge Sanjeev but every single one of us here has a problem.”
Depression was a major factor that caused people to act irrationally. He urged mourners to “talk out” their problems instead of keeping emotions stifled.
Rambarran’s two children, Sangeeta and Sanjay, were present for the service.
Sangeeta spoke briefly about her parents.
All the stories and opinions being formed concerning the situation did not matter anymore and she said not even she knew exactly what caused her father to commit such an act.
She said she and her brother will hold on to the good memories created by their parents and requested love and support from mourners.
Today, Paladee’s funeral service will be held at her home in Tunapuna.