Hours after police dispersed crab vendors for selling at a spot in Caroni, MPs have called for more consultation with the head of the police Central Division and Police Commissioner Gary Griffith to discuss a way forward for the vendors.
Newsday understands vendors were selling crabs near the Caroni Bridge Roundabout on Wednesday morning, but municipal police told them vending was restricted in that area, referring to nearby signs.
MPs Khadijah Ameen (ST Augustine) and Rudranath Indarsingh (Couva South) arrived during the confrontation and spoke with vendors who raised their concerns.
Ameen reportedly called on the public to come out in support of the vendors.
This prompted a media release from the CoP, who knocked Ameen for acting irresponsibly for encouraging a public gathering.
He also urged the public not to be lured into breaking the public health regulations by attending a protest.
He wrote: "The commissioner wishes to advise MPs, politicians, and other public figures that the law is crystal clear and the public health regulations speak for themselves.
"Therefore, should any citizen have concerns, the CoP has set up hotline numbers to deal with any issues that may arise. The alleged conduct, namely, the invitation of the public to gather as a consequence of any such concerns is totally irresponsible.
[caption id="attachment_893017" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Customers made their purchases from crab vendors on Wednesday near the bridge on the Southern Main Road in Caroni. Vendors said police told them they could not sell and they had to pack up and leave. Photo by Marvin Hamilton[/caption]
"The commissioner calls on citizens not to be lured or baited into breaching the law, but rather, complying then complaining, by seeking the relevant clarification, if necessary."
But Ameen said there may have been some miscommunication, as she had merely invited the media to come to report on the removal of the vendors.
"At no point did I ask the public to come out and protest. So I think there may have been some misunderstanding in that regard. I understand and continue to ask people to obey the public regulations.
"What I did want is for the media to come and give some coverage to this issue.
"The vendors are abiding by the regulations. They are not selling anything that is restricted under the current laws. They have said before that they have no problem being relocated by the regional corporation, but they are being removed by the police all the same."
Ameen pointed out that the vendors sold perishable items which had to be discarded if they were not sold and used within a certain time.
Contacted for comment, Snr Supt of Municipal Police Wayne Mohammed said officers were within their rights to disperse vendors, noting the signs which restricted vending of any kind.
He noted both the municipal police and TTPS were mandated to prevent vending where it was not allowed.
Speaking with Newsday,
