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The leader of the opposition calls for urgent help on behalf of residents of parts, of Penal after devastating floods.

Kamla Persad Bissessar yesterday went into some areas badly affected, by two days of flooding.

The local government representatives in the areas under water have been complaining about the situation, which two days ago saw school children and other marooned.

Some schools had to be closed because of the situation

Mrs. Persad Bissessar, along with some of her MPS and local government representatives were in the affected communities, distributing aid to the people reeling from the situation.

She had a list of suggestions for the authorities.

The Local Government and Rural Development Minister Faris Al Rawi yesterday said, his people have been on top of the situation.

Chairman of the Penal, Debe Corporation, Gowtam Maharaj yesterday criticized the central government for not doing enough fast enough.

Mr. Al Rawi was quick to dismiss some of the claims.

The minister assured everything is being done to alleviate the impact on people.

Play Whe-Lotto agents are said, to be owing the national lotteries control board millions of dollars.

The board says, it is because of this new measures are being introduced.

The NLCB says, over the past month it has issued pre-action protocol letters to more than 30 of its agents.

In a media release the NLCB says, it wants to recover over six million dollars in debt from delinquent agents.

The company also refutes claims, that disgruntled agents have surrendered over one hundred lottery machines.

According to the NLCB, 36 machines were de-installed because of bad pay agents.

The NLCB says, 22 machines were surrendered or returned because the locations were no longer available, or had poor profitability

Lotto and Play Whe vendors are threatening to close their operations if the national lotteries control board goes ahead with new measures.

The vendors say the national lotteries control board has been taking advantage of them and it is time to end it.

Members of the online gaming agents association of Trinidad and Tobago held meetings yesterday saying the new measures are harsh and draconian.

President of the association Dean Persad said, a notice sent to them by the NLCB on October 4^th dealt with the issue of deposits.

The vendors are told to make their deposits on Mondays, by 2pm.

Mr. Persad told reporters, according to the notice failure to make deposits within those stipulations would lead to gaming machines being suppressed or shut down by the NLCB.

One vendor said a shut down is very likely and a deadline has been given.

According to Mr. Persad another stipulation, which was confusing to the association, was the one, which stated that non-payment is being considered larceny.

The judiciary’s policy on blocking police officers from carrying their weapons in courtrooms is being criticized again.

Police social and welfare association has said, the law allows officers to be armed in several places including courts.

But the judiciary’s policy is now being questioned.

Yesterday, the opposition united national congress said, the policy exposes officers who may be in danger because of matters they are involved in.

Barataria San Juan MP Saddam told a news conference, the head of the judiciary; Ivor Archie needs to reconsider this matter.

The attorney said the judiciary’s policy cannot over-ride what is law.

Mr. Hosein believes the policy, reportedly created close to nine years now, could put the lives of officers in peril.

He is suggesting that the judiciary creates spaces where officer’s weapons can be safely stored, while they are attending court proceedings.

The police commissioner is again telling of the risks her officers face while on duty.

The reminder comes after the fatal shooting of constable Krishna Banahar in Point Fortin yesterday.

Twenty-five year old PC Banahar was shot in the head and multiple times on his upper body while on an exercise in Guapo.

In what was reported to be an exchange of gunfire civilian 44-year-old Hakim Joseph was also fatally shot by the police.

The incident occurred at around 4:45am.

Both the officer and the civilian were pronounced dead at hospital

A suspect has been held for the shooting of PC Banahar.

Meanwhile, via a statement police commissioner Erla Harewood Christopher lamented the attacks on her officers.

She says when a law enforcement officer becomes a target it is grossly disconcerting and a very serious cause for worry.

Mrs. Harewood Christopher said, yesterday was a sad day for officers of the service.

She also said this incident reinforces the very real threat police officers face every day.

The commissioner said PC Banahar served the TTPS with distinction for four years.

She is expecting an appropriate end to what took place.

The Minister of Finance is making clear, that he does not personally determine who gets access to foreign exchange.

Business owners have been complaining about a lack of forex, saying it is crippling companies.

Many have pointed fingers, at minister Colm Imbert

However, minister Imbert says, he does not dictate who should or should not get access to foreign exchange.

At a news conference yesterday, the finance minister reminded the business community of the process for accessing foreign exchange.

He then sought to explain how forex is generated.

The minister said, it was recently decided that government would place 25 million us in the Exim bank for distribution.

Minister Imbert also said, he wants the energy and petro-chemical companies operating here to pay their taxes in forex.

He said he plans to meet with them to discuss the matter.

Two police officers are shot in the line of duty on, St. Rose Street, Gonzales Village Guapo.

PC Krishna Banahar of the Siparia CID was pronounced dead at the, Point Fortin Hospital.

Officer PC Tootsie was wounded during the exercise.

Police say, officers were on an exercise in the area when shots were fired at them.

Another unidentified male was also pronounced dead at, 5:20 this morning at the Point Fortin Hospital.