Public Administration and Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie is calling on members of the public to refrain from celebrating the end of the year with scratch bombs and other illegal fireworks.
In a press release issued by his office yesterday, Cuffie said that while Government and the police continue to crack down on the illegal fireworks industry, citizens can help by not purchasing illegal supplies during festive periods.
Cuffie advised that it was incumbent on the population and “we as citizens to not participate in illegal activities, and to report to the police incidents of scratch bombs.”
Cuffie appealed “to the hearts and minds of citizens to desist from the use of scratch bombs because of the damaged caused by them.”
According to the release, since Cuffie launched a campaign against scratch bombs last month after his constituent Sally-Ann Cuffie (no relation) was seriously injured in an incident on Divali, his ministry has received proposals from numerous stakeholders including animal welfare activists.
Among those presenting proposals was Lisa Ramlogan, of the Human and Environmental Care and Management Foundation, and Derek Mohammed, of Animals 360 Foundation, who both reported increased cases by local vets involving animals being brought in with injuries arising out of scratch bombs being lit and inserted in their mouths.
He reminded citizens that currently the Summary Offences Act made it illegal to release fireworks in towns, including the City of Port-of-Spain, without the expressed permission from the Commissioner of Police. The offence carries a $1,000 fine.
Meanwhile, Sally-Ann Cuffie is pleading for assistance as she yet to fully recover from the injuries she sustained on Divali night.
The 48-year-old licenced firearm security officer was driving with relatives in Las Lomas #1 when someone threw an ignited scratch bomb in the car.
Cuffie instinctively grabbed the explosive device to shield her six-month-old granddaughter Christa from the blast. She received severe injuries to her hands and parts of her fingers were blown off.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian last week, Cuffie said she was unable to return to work as he hands are yet to heal and she has received minimal assistance from the Ministry of Social Development.