BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE recent shooting incident involving the residence of the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Hon. Curtis Martin, has been laid at the feet of those in opposition to the government.
Speaking at a St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party 'Full Confidence' Rally on Bank Street, Basseterre on Friday (Jul. 12), Leader of the Party and Prime Minister of the Federation the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas made mention of words which were uttered by Chairman of the People’s Labour Party (PLP) Douglas Wattley on Friday (Jul. 5) while at a Unity rally.
The words suggested that one of the means to get the SKNLP-led government out of office is the employment of some sort of violence.
Although this was not mentioned by Prime Minister Douglas, Wattley – the day after he made the pronouncements – recanted, apologised for his utterances and pledged to adopt other means in fighting for civil rights.
According to Dr. Douglas’ suggestion, persons in opposition to the government were responsible for orchestrating the shooting incident which occurred – as reports suggest – at the Speaker’s Stapleton Estate Yard, St. Peter’s Home.
“Comrades, the other night, after the meeting of the National Assembly, they organised people to shoot up the home of the Hon. Curtis Martin, the Speaker of the National Assembly.”
He also highlighted the fact that the act was not condemned by the non-governmental organisations.
“Has there been any condemnation from our partners? Have you heard anything from the Chamber? Have you heard anything from the Evangelical Association?…Have you heard anything from the Hotel and Tourism Association? Nada, nada, nada!”
The Prime Minister however failed to mention that nothing also came from the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force that suggested shots were fired at the Speaker’s House. All that came from the law enforcement organisation is that police were investigating a shooting incident, but they did not say where and who or what the target was.
Reports which reached this publication suggested that sometime between 1:30 a.m. and 2:15 a.m. on Wednesday (July 10), shots were fired at the Speaker’s home.
SKNVibes understands that Speaker Martin was occupying the dwelling place when the incident occurred but he was not harmed.
