BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ADDED to the extensive list of appeals made to the nation’s youth to turn from gang warfare, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil Llewellyn Douglas has again implored them to desist from engaging in violent behaviour.
The call was made yesterday (Ma. 3) during ZIZ’s “Ask the PM” programme and was in response to the recent killing of two young men, Jusan ‘Heads’ Hendricks and Collin ‘Izum’ Matthew.
PM Douglas said while there is that mood of celebration owing to the excellence exhibited by the Federation’s youth in recent cricket and debating competitions, there is that blanket of grief resulting from the recent killings. He expressed commiseration to the bereaved families.
“It has been a day so far of mixed reaction. We’ve had the glory and of course the celebration and commendations and congratulations of our young people who have excelled; those who recently again proved that St. Kitts and Nevis are in fact champions and leaders in the Eastern Caribbean as we’ve seen in cricket and in our Leeward Island debate. But it is also a sad moment for us because recently we’ve had two more homicides involving young people. This is not good. I want to use this opportunity to extend my very profound condolences and sympathise with the families of those who have lost loved ones.”
He entreated the youth to engage in behaviour indicative of our civilised nature, noting settling disputes using violent and unwholesome means only lead to more bedlam.
“This, I believe is a clear indication that, although we may be getting through the messages, we need to ensure that appropriate action follows the messages. I appeal to our young people, especially those who have been engaged in this kind of gang warfare; you do not go to the police with the information because you think you can settle it yourselves. It will only lead to more mayhem, murder and confusion and sorrow. This is not the way for us to live. We are a civilised people and we are not animals.”
He said the current state of affairs cannot be tolerated and noted that the relevant bodies would continue in their endeavour to deal with the issue.
“We must recognise that there must be an end to this. Destruction of your fellow man cannot be good, it cannot be encouraged. The government will continue, together with the security forces and with the full support of the community, to attempt to stamp out the scourge which has visited our beautiful St. Kitts and Nevis.”
