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An investigation is launched by the Environmental Management Authority into reports of diesel dumping in the western peninsula.

In a brief release yesterday the EMA said it is working alongside the Institute for Marine Affairs, the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries to address the report.

Earlier lobby group Fishermen and Friends of the Sea told Newscenter 5 it has received reports that Venezuelan fishing vessels have been releasing diesel while docked at Coral Cove Marina in Chaguaramas.

Mr. Aboud said concerned citizens indicating that the mass amount of diesel flowing is from 3 Venezuelan ships docked in the marina, took pictures. 

Mr. Aboud called on the government and the EMA to implement the law and prevent the blatant disregard for the country’s marine environment.

Mr. Aboud warned that oil is deadly, as it bio-accumulates and bio-magnifies, leaving an everlasting effect on the marine environment.

There is a call for the government to introduce electronic monitoring bracelets for domestic abuse offenders.

The call comes from opposition leader Kamla Persad Bissessar.

This after the brutal murder of the 25-year-old mother in Penal.

In a statement posted to her Facebook page yesterday, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar also urges the national community to be their sister’s keeper and extended empathy to women suffering in domestic violence situations.

She says the government must implement its promises to protect women.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar says she is sad to learn that more women continue to face heinous acts of violence; many times at the hands of persons they once knew and trusted.

She vowed to fight for the legislation that would help protect women.

Police in Penal deny receiving domestic violence reports from the relatives of murdered 25-year-old Reshma Kanchan.

Ms. Kanchan’s mother Davica told reporters on Tuesday her daughter was the victim of violence at the hands of her ex lover.

Ms. Kanchan said reports to the Penal police brought very little relief.

Reshma Kanchan was chopped to death while on her way to work on Monday morning.

The suspect in the matter tried to kill himself after and has since been hospitalised.

Police Commissioner Gary Griffith says there is no record repeated reports at the station.

He says if the relatives of the dead woman can show receipts where reports were made, he would discipline the officer or officers.

According to the Commissioner, on September 16^th, both Ms. Kanchan and her ex went to the station and reported threats made by each other.

The Commissioner says at the time officers spoke with both parties and suggested counseling.

On Tuesday, Davica Khanchan said on several occasions the suspect turned up at their Laltoo Trace Extension home and assaulted her daughter in front of family members.

She claimed despite calls to the police, officers did not respond.

The Tourism and Culture Minister believes Carnival celebrations next year can be done virtually.

Randall Mitchell says while he agrees there should be no Carnival next year, he believes celebrations should take place virtually.

He says he has met with different stakeholders on the issue.

Prime Minister Keith Rowley raised the matter of cancelling Carnival on Monday.

He said in this current pandemic, the hosting of Carnival next February is not on.

However speaking with Newsenter 5 yesterday Minister Mitchell said all options are being considered.

Minister Mitchell also said the issue of Pay Per View is being considered.

The mother of murder victim, 25-year-old Reshma Kanchan says she suffered years of domestic abuse at the hands of her husband.

A 36-year-old suspect in the killing was up to last evening hospitalised after he slit his throat while behind the wheel of his vehicle.

He is said to have committed the act after he chopped his ex wife to death near her Laltoo Trace Extension Penal home yesterday morning.

Ms. Kanchan was on her way to work when she was attacked.

Her mother Davika Kanchan says the couple have had serious problems and the man had threatened and beat his partner several times.

Ms. Kanchan said yesterday if the police in Penal had acted her daughter’s death could have been avoided.

Reshma Kanchan’s 2 daughters are aged 5 and 2.

The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago supports the investigations started by Police Commissioner, Gary Griffith following the raid on DSS headquarters in La Horquetta.

Via statement last evening, the association said the Commissioner’s investigations should also include whether there was a legal requirement to obtain a warrant before the search on the apartment.

In an interview on Sunday the Commissioner could not say for sure if there was a warrant.

Yesterday the Law Association said a warrant obtained after a search has started does not legalise what has already occurred.

The association noted, the privacy of people’s premises is protected by the constitution and ought only to be violated when carried out strictly in accordance with the law.

It said the failure to obtain a warrant when required, and the failure to disclose it when obtained, violates the constitution.

The association said the Commissioner is right to investigate the individual caught on tape, seemingly stuffing cash into his apparel.

Commissioner Griffith has already denied that the officer in question is from the police service.

And the law association is encouraging the Commissioner to pay equal attention to reports, apparently backed by video footage, of members of the search squad physically abusing occupants of the premises being searched.