BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Aug 20, CMC – Senior executive officials of the opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM) staged a peaceful protest outside the government headquaters regarding so far this year.
“We wrote to the Government in January 2024 and they gave us no favourable response so we took it to the road today,” the party posted on its Facebook page ahead of the protest action.
The latest killing occurred on Sunday night, when the body of 36-year-old singer, Krami Morris-O’Loughlin, was found riddled with bullets in the yard where he lived at Molineaux, north of here.
O’Loughlin, alias “Imark” who performed at the St. Kitts Music Festival and at various events in the diaspora, had three months ago released his latest single titled “Tears Falling’ making reference to the pain of losing loved ones but finding the strength to carry on.
The law enforcement authorities are investigating the crime and have given no motive for the killing.
PAM leader, Natasha “Shanny” Grey Brookes, flanked by her deputy leader, Azard Gumbs and former leader, Shawn Richards, said the government had become far too quiet on the gun-related incidents that have been committed in the country.
“When you say that you swear to serve and protect and uphold the constitution, you must mean it in every regard and do what you have to do, do what is necessary. It is time that we as a nation, come out on the streets and ask our government to take action to protect our nation.
“Our streets must be safe and secure. Our people must feel that when they go home at night, they are safe in the protection of their homes. In our business community, there are too many robberies. Have they met these businessmen and women to ask them what is in place or what can be done to help alleviate the problem?
“The government needs to act on your behalf and act now. stand in solidarity with our citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Brookes.
Media reports said that Prime Minister, Dr Terrance Drew met on Monday with the Commissioner of Police, James Sutton, to discuss national security issues in the Federation.
Late last month, Prime Minister Drew said a national consultation on crime would be held here and while he gave no exac date for the event during a radio and television broadcast, he warned that the country “ cannot tolerate the willful violence that has resulted in the unacceptable number of homicides over the past two decades… and particularly the loss of life over the past few days and months”.
He said this is why he has directed that the Ministry of National Security to begin preparations to host a national consultation on crime and violence among other crime fighting initiatives.
“The national consultation on crime will invite all political organizations, all civil society organizations, and anyone who cares about this Federation, to come to the table to provide their ideas and plans for us to end this decades-long scourge of violent crime. This is my pledge,” he added.
CMC/af/ir/2024