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  • 2 weeks ago

A brutal home invasion on Tuesday morning, took place in Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar's neighbourhood, in Phillipine, San Fernando.

The family of seven were tied, beaten and robbed at gun point, by a group of six men.

Speaking to our reporter Cindy Raghubar-Teekersingh today, the family pleaded for assistance, as they say every dollar ever saved, was kept at home and was taken by the bandits.



Transcript
00:00Brutal home invasion on Tuesday morning took place in Prime Minister Kamala Passat-Bissess's
00:04neighborhood in Philippine, San Fernando. The family of seven were tied, beaten and robbed
00:09at gunpoint by a group of six men. Speaking to our reporter, Cindy Ragubati, kissing today,
00:15the family pleaded for assistance. As they say, every dollar ever saved was kept at home
00:20and was taken by the bandits.
00:22For the 25 years they've been together, 53-year-old Vijay Ragunanan and his wife, 47-year-old
00:31Betty Jagdeo, both farmers, planted then sold vegetables at the Debe market, comfortably
00:38raising their five children here in Philippine, San Fernando. But it would take a terrifying
00:4420 minutes, which felt like hours on Tuesday morning, for the family to lose every cent
00:51they've toiled to save.
00:53I heard a noise, badang. When I heard a noise, they say police, police, right? When I was
01:00sleeping, I was even just moved. They don't bust up me next door. Everything, every dollar
01:07that I worked hard for in my whole life, they took it. The only thing they didn't take is
01:12my life. That's all they didn't take, my life.
01:15Vijay says around 3 a.m., six masked, gun-toting bandits bound all of their hands with tie straps
01:23and feet with duct tape. He was hit with a gun butt multiple times across his face and
01:29head, then kicked and punched about the body. His eldest son was hit on his head with a safe.
01:35His youngest son's collection of coins was also taken.
01:40These criminals came in my house. You watching a seven-year-old little boy and tie-strapping
01:47his hand and putting duct tape on his foot? A seven-year-old child? Where can we go again?
01:55Where? What you got to say again? This is horror. I wouldn't like my worst enemy go through this.
02:00My worst enemy. It's really horror. The family lives about a minute away from Prime Minister
02:07Kamala Passat-Bissessa's Philippine residence. And while they say during her first tenure as
02:13Prime Minister, there were police patrols in the area, there's been no visible increase
02:18in patrols this time around, a measure they believe would help reduce criminal activity
02:24if implemented nationwide. When you go through something in life, then you really know.
02:29You know, people have been talking about this and that and all kinds of things. But when
02:32you go through these things, it really, you just want to know if life has any meaning.
02:36I used to feel safe because I was born and grew here. I was born and grew here. I used to feel safe.
02:41Yeah. I used to feel safe. Even there's so much crime. I said crime wouldn't hit my door.
02:47But it's a big mistake. Vijay says farming has afforded him a simple but happy life with his family.
02:54But having lost so much, so sudden and violently, he's asking for support to help care for his wife
03:02and children. I never beg in my life. I mind my five children. But if I could get a little
03:08assistant in any way, I'm talking to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is my neighbor.
03:14She lived just a stone throw away from me. And if I could get any assistance for my children and me,
03:20I'll be thankful for it. Because I have nothing.
03:23If you would like to assist this family, they can be contacted at 771-1869.
03:33Cindy Raguba, Tika Singh, TV6 News.
03:37Commenting on the home invasion, the Prime Minister says her administration has achieved success in
03:42reducing crime over the past six months and will keep pushing to clamp down on home invasions.
03:48Responding to questions from The Express, Prime Minister Passat-Bissessa said home invasions are
03:53why she is bringing the Stand Your Ground laws and legislation to make legal firearms more accessible.
04:01The Prime Minister said this will empower citizens and give them a fighting chance
04:06as a last line of defense against home invasions and robberies.
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