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The National Trade Union Centre is telling public servants, there are no directives given by the State regarding the plan to extend the safe zone initiative.

As such NATUC’s President James Lambert is advising his members to report for work as usual come January 17^th.

And he tells them to ensure they are given documentation if sent home.

At news conference yesterday Mr. Lambert, who is also the leader of the National Union of Government and Federated Workers, said the government’s proposal must be rejected.

Three weeks ago, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley told the nation, any public servant who has not been vaccinated will be sent home.

Their salaries will also be withheld.

Mr. Lambert accused Dr. Rowley of disrespect.

The union leader described the policy as dictatorial.

Three days after she and her husband were kidnapped, Mattie Maraj was able to free herself and is now home again.

Police who were searching for the couple after they were kidnapped last Saturday, say the suspects abandoned their victim.

Narine and Mattie Maraj were kidnapped while on their way to their farm in Piarco.

A 2 million dollar ransom was demanded.

According to police reports Mrs. Maraj was found yesterday morning along Cumaca Road off the Valencia Main Road.

It’s the same area her husband was found 2 days earlier, when he too escaped.

Mrs. Maraj says she was able to ask for aid from residents, who notified police.

She sustained some minor injuries and was taken to the Sangre Grande Hospital for treatment.

Yesterday Superintendent of the TTPS, Roger Alexander said it appeared the kidnappers abandoned the site and she was able to free herself.

Three men were held after Mr. Maraj’s escape.

Police say the suspects were held with personal items belonging to the couple.

So far 9 suspects, who range in ages 16 to 50 from the northern and eastern divisions have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping.

On the Beyond The Tape program yesterday, Superintendent Alexander said although Mattie Maraj has been located, operations are continuing with the aim of making more arrests.

Mrs. Maraj is yet to give official statements.

Police have held 3 men in connection with the kidnapping of Narine Maraj and his wife Mattie.

They were taken from their Madras, St. Helena home last Saturday.

The couple was tending to their animals on a farm, which belongs to the family.

The kidnappers have demanded 2 million dollars for their safe release.

The kidnapping and the ransome demand baffle relatives, saying they are not rich.

Sixty-two-year-old Mr. Maraj was found yesterday morning in Valencia.

He told police he was able to free himself from a camp in a forested area.

Mr. Maraj said he flagged down a vehicle on the Valencia Old Road, after running through a forest.

The retired mechanic was taken to the Valencia Police Post.

Officers were informed and units of the special operations response team, the anti kidnapping squad, the northern division task force and the air support unit conducted a search for the camp.

They later detained 3 men, all from Sangre Grande.

However up to last evening 52-year-old Mattie Maraj was yet to be found.

Another murder has been recorded, the victim is Shakeem Roberts.

Mr. Roberts and Antonio Raymond were shot at while at Latchoo Trace Chin Chin Road Cunupia last evening at around 7:15.

Mr. Roberts, also known as “Bruce Lee” was killed.

Antonio Raymond was wounded.

Reports are saying the two men may have gone to purchase drugs when there was a situation that led to the shooting.

Up to late last evening, Antonio Raymond was said to be in critical condition.

Police and fire officials are at this time clearing debris along the Beetham Highway and the Priority Bus Route following a demonstration by residents.

The situation caused gridlock as hundreds of motorists were affected by this morning’s protest.

Residents are protesting a ruptured sewer line in the area.

Last year works began on a collapsed sewer line in the district.

The pipeline takes sewerage from Mt. Hope to the Beetham high lift station.

This morning, the angry group blocked the east and west bound lanes of the highway and the bus route with burning debris.

Police visited the scene.

Speaking with the officers this morning one resident said the issue is overbearing.

He assured the demonstration is not about intimidation, but to highlight the frustration of the residents.

And activist and resident Anderson Wilson said the people of Beetham Gardens would not rest until the issue is addressed.

He said residents are prepared to be arrested this morning.

This morning Acting Commissioner Mc Donald Jacob said all roadways are clear and a probe will be conducted.

In December last year Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales said the project was expected to be completed by the end of this month.

Efforts to contact Minister Gonzales this morning have been futile.

The Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha is appealing to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh for consideration to be given to the reopening of rivers.

The Hindu body wrote to the government officials also requesting the reopening of natural watercourses, so the community can resume several of its religious ceremonies.

The correspondence, signed by acting Secretary General Vijay Maharaj reminds both government officials that the Hindu community has been compliant with the safety protocols affected for the pandemic.

The religious organization is asking that special consideration be given to one Hindu ceremony in particular, which is connected to funeral rites.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh says steps are already being taken to address the issue of fake vaccination cards among public sector workers.

From next week workers in the public sector are to provide proof of vaccination in order to take up duties.

Yesterday Minister Deyalsingh he said he has met with the police on the matter.

Minister Deyalsingh also sought to deter persons from the continued reliance on Ivermectin and COVID packs.

He said this is contributing to increased deaths.

The Minister was responding to questions from the media at the COVID-19 update yesterday.

Several children are now hospitalised with the coronavirus.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Roshan Parasram yesterday said a critical case is at the Intensive Care Unit.

The CMO made the revelation at the COVID-19 update yesterday.

He said as it stands, 25% of all variants locally are now Omicron.

The increase comes amid the presence and spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the country.