PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC:
NATIONAL SECURITY Minister Martin Joseph will tomorrow lead off the parliamentary debate on the Trinidad and Tobago government's "efforts to combat crime" in the oil-rich republic.
Leader of Government Business, Ken Valley, will table the motion that calls on legislators to "take note of the Government's efforts to combat crime".
The debate comes amid an increase in the number of persons murdered or kidnapped here so far this year. Figures show that more than 315 people have been killed while more than 200 have been kidnapped.
The main Opposition United National Congress (UNC) has criticised the Patrick Manning government's handling of the crime situation, telling supporters that the ruling party was 'in bed' with known criminal elements in the country.
Last month, thousands of persons demonstrated in the streets of the capital calling on all legislators to debate the crime situation.
The demonstration had been organised by the Keith Noel 136 Committee, formed following the murder of Noel earlier this year.
Committee Chairman Stephen Cadiz said it had also paid the funeral expenses of 13-year-old Kaleem 'Billy' Danglade, who was buried on Monday after he was shot by unknown gunmen near his home.
"It is a very sad loss for a child at that age. I hope after a scene like this, it touches someone in Government to make it stop.
