Attorney General Anand Ramlogan says the State is working around-the-clock to establish a case for people arrested under the state of emergency detention orders to be charged before Monday. He said that during an interview during yesterday's Senate lunch break at Tower D, Waterfront Complex, Port-of-Spain. Asked what would be the State's position if those detained were freed at the expiration of the emergency on Monday, Ramlogan said: "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. "The police have to do their work (and) the challenge now is for us to gather the various parts of the jigsaw puzzle and see whether or not you can put together a case that will satisfy the legal requirements for the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) to proffer charges."
He said that was a matter "entirely for the security agencies and they are working 'round-the-clock and trying their very best." Asked if that must be done by Monday, Ramlogan said: "Well, I would assume so."
He said the National Security Minister was responsible for the operational aspects of the matter while he (AG) was on the pulse of the legal aspects of the matter. Ramlogan said he was doing "all that is necessary and required to ensure the interest of justice will be served." He also denied any move by the Government to draft new legislation to allow for those detained under the detention orders to be charged after the expiration of the emergency. Ramlogan also responded to questions on a claim by Opposition Senator Fitzgerald Hinds that the emergency was creating religious divisions between Hindus and Muslims in T&T.
Ramlogan said any move "to inject passions of race and religion in the affairs of national security will be reckless and dangerous." He said the law enforcement agencies were operating on the basis of intelligence presented to them. He said intelligence was not driven by anything to do with race or religion. He said when the list of detainees was revealed it may show the varied mix of people in T&T.
Ramlogan said T&T has had a rich and proud history of managing "diversity and any extremist and fundamentalist sects within our country."