Orphaned teen arrested
MP blasts cops at funeral
By Susan Mohammed
Story Created: Sep 15, 2011 at 12:51 AM ECT
Story Updated: Sep 15, 2011 at 12:51 AM ECT http://www.trinidadexpress.com...ested-129857873.html
Police arrested the orphaned teenage daughter of a couple killed in a murder-suicide, after she went to the Chaguanas Police Station to get the approval for her parents' funeral on Tuesday. The police inspector who arrested Anita Balkaran said she was an illegal immigrant.
It was only after the intervention of Member of Parliament for Couva South Rudy Indarsingh, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Fitzroy Frederick, that the 19-year-old was released after two and a half hours in custody.
Balkaran, 19, attended the funeral yesterday for mother Sohanie Ramsundar, whose throat was slit by Ramsundar's husband Arjoon Balkaran, who later hanged himself.
The funeral was held at the family's home at Teelucksingh Street, Dow Village, California, last Friday.
The family is originally from Guyana.
Dow Village was one of the areas declared a crime hot spot by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Tuesday, and subject to the 11 p.m to 4 a.m curfew.
Indarsingh also attended the funeral service and condemned the actions of the police inspector. "It amazed me," he told mourners.
"She was arrested and thrown in some area of the Chaguanas Police Station and her family did not know what would be the future of this particular funeral service today. I became a bit incensed, knowing what has been occurring from an emotional point of view with these children since Friday. ACP Fitzroy Frederick brought a sense of stability and a sense of tranquility to these children so that they could have this funeral service today and ensure that their parents receive a decent send-off."
Indarsingh appealed to law enforcement officers to undertake their duties not only in accordance of the law and constitution, but also with compassion and empathy.
The bodies of Balkaran, 36, and Ramsundar, 41, the parents of four, were cremated at the Waterloo Cremation site.
Balkaran's mother, Brnic Dwarka, and brother, Narvindra, travelled from Guyana for the funeral.
In delivering his brother's eulogy, Narvindra said the deaths had struck a heavy blow on the family, but was thankful that measures were in place for the children to receive counselling.
He said, "We thank the Government and the administration. I would like to humbly ask that they can assist to allow these children to have a future in Trinidad. My heart will be blessed with thanks if that could be possible. I trust that they are in good hands."
Ramsundar was remembered by her relative, Krishna Ramsundar, who described her as woman who worked extremely hard for her children.
"It is sad her life came to an abrupt end, but her spirit lives on," he said.
MP blasts cops at funeral
By Susan Mohammed
Story Created: Sep 15, 2011 at 12:51 AM ECT
Story Updated: Sep 15, 2011 at 12:51 AM ECT http://www.trinidadexpress.com...ested-129857873.html
Police arrested the orphaned teenage daughter of a couple killed in a murder-suicide, after she went to the Chaguanas Police Station to get the approval for her parents' funeral on Tuesday. The police inspector who arrested Anita Balkaran said she was an illegal immigrant.
It was only after the intervention of Member of Parliament for Couva South Rudy Indarsingh, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Fitzroy Frederick, that the 19-year-old was released after two and a half hours in custody.
Balkaran, 19, attended the funeral yesterday for mother Sohanie Ramsundar, whose throat was slit by Ramsundar's husband Arjoon Balkaran, who later hanged himself.
The funeral was held at the family's home at Teelucksingh Street, Dow Village, California, last Friday.
The family is originally from Guyana.
Dow Village was one of the areas declared a crime hot spot by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Tuesday, and subject to the 11 p.m to 4 a.m curfew.
Indarsingh also attended the funeral service and condemned the actions of the police inspector. "It amazed me," he told mourners.
"She was arrested and thrown in some area of the Chaguanas Police Station and her family did not know what would be the future of this particular funeral service today. I became a bit incensed, knowing what has been occurring from an emotional point of view with these children since Friday. ACP Fitzroy Frederick brought a sense of stability and a sense of tranquility to these children so that they could have this funeral service today and ensure that their parents receive a decent send-off."
Indarsingh appealed to law enforcement officers to undertake their duties not only in accordance of the law and constitution, but also with compassion and empathy.
The bodies of Balkaran, 36, and Ramsundar, 41, the parents of four, were cremated at the Waterloo Cremation site.
Balkaran's mother, Brnic Dwarka, and brother, Narvindra, travelled from Guyana for the funeral.
In delivering his brother's eulogy, Narvindra said the deaths had struck a heavy blow on the family, but was thankful that measures were in place for the children to receive counselling.
He said, "We thank the Government and the administration. I would like to humbly ask that they can assist to allow these children to have a future in Trinidad. My heart will be blessed with thanks if that could be possible. I trust that they are in good hands."
Ramsundar was remembered by her relative, Krishna Ramsundar, who described her as woman who worked extremely hard for her children.
"It is sad her life came to an abrupt end, but her spirit lives on," he said.