By Carolyn Kissoon
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has confirmed that there is no truth to claims by Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar that a businessman’s daughter had been kidnapped.
And the Peoples National Movement (PNM) has condemned her action, saying it was calculated to cause unnecessary panic in the country.
Police stated, however, that a false rumour had been circulating on social media that the daughter of a San Fernando businessman was taken against her will.
Persad-Bissessar made the statement during her address at the United National Congress (UNC) Monday night forum in Couva.
Persad-Bissessar told supporters that she was on her way to the meeting on Monday night when she received a text message on her mobile phone informing her of the kidnapping.
She did not give details but went on to question why murders and kidnappings increased with a PNM Government.
The PNM issued a statement on Wednesday condemning Persad-Bissessar’s actions.
It stated that it was irresponsible and premeditated.
“The action on the part of Ms. Persad-Bissessar was calculated to cause unnecessary panic which is condemned. The UNC;s continued fear mongering should be rejected by the population as they, the UNC, are on a destructive path as opposed to working towards being part of the solution,” the release stated.
The PNM stated that the TTPS had confirmed that on Monday night there was no report of any kidnapping.
The PNM also congratulated the police service for its “quick apprehension” of persons involved in the recent kidnapping of San Fernando businessman Gregory Laing.
Laing, the owner of Puff n’ Stuff Bakery, was kidnapped outside his business place along Circular Road last Thursday.
A ransom of $270,000 was demanded.
Laing was released that same day after his relatives paid a ransom.
