Sando Chamber outraged as elderly businesswoman robbed, assaulted

AN outraged San Fernando Greater Chamber is calling on the police to get a better handle on crime, after an elderly businesswoman was attacked and left semi-conscious, as she made her way from her businessplace on Mon Chagrin Street, to her vehicle on October 25.

Indra Ramkissoon, the owner of Indra’s Beauty Salon, was attacked by four young bandits, who snatched her purse, which contained cash and valuables, along with other personal items.

In the process, she was knocked to the ground. She suffered facial injuries and a dislocated shoulder which required immediate medical attention at a nearby private hospital.

The purse was found on the upper floor of another businessplace on High Street, minus the valuables.

One young man was reportedly held, but released.

President of the San Fernando Greater Chamber (SFGCC) Kiran Singh told the Newsday on October 27, he was saddened and shocked by the incident.

“Thankfully, she is at home resting, but she is traumatised and would be unable to work for some time to come.”

He noted that as a hairdresser she would not be able to satisfy her clients, especially in this Divali and upcoming Christmas season when hairstyles are in demand for the numerous social occasions.

What is more appalling, Singh said, “is the fact this is a small business owner who employs 75 persons. She operates two branches, one in Port of Spain and the other in San Fernando. One in Chaguanas was downsized. She also operates a factory which manufacturers hair products for export. So she is a foreign exchange net earner, which we desperately need in this country.

“When we have youths attacking such valuable, innocent entrepreneurs, they will only want to close down their business. This is not the first time Indra’s Beauty Saloon has been robbed, but the first time she was a physical target.”

Singh asked where were the police patrols the new ACP Southern Division Wayne Mystar promised.

“Today is Sunday, we were opened this morning, but we did not see any significant presence of police, neither did we see on Saturday which was a busy shopping day. We did not see that kind of police presence we desperately needed, on Friday. When is the police going to work with us as a business community to ensure the commercial businesses continue downtown San Fernando.”

He said the lack of police presence is causing more and more people to flock to the malls, leaving downtown to suffer due to crime.

“This happened in the evening, not in the night. She had just left her workplace around 5 pm and was approaching her car in which her husband was seated and waiting for her on High Street, when she was attacked.

“This was a busy time for shoppers for businesspeople. The street was crowded with traffic and pedestrians when this innocent lady was attacked.

“Where are we going as a society when young men could accost an elderly woman who is such a significant contributor to the economy and employment.

“She has been in business for over 50 years and a fixture in San Fernando for more than three decades. This is not the message we want to send out in a challenging economy where economic conditions are not the best.

“What is the message this is sending out to young entrepreneurs, especially female entrepreneurs who want to get into business. Wouldn’t they be discouraged and not want to invest?” he asked.

“The attack on this senior citizen is very disturbing,” Singh said.

Only recently, former head of the Penal/Debe Chamber Rampersad Sieuraj was chopped, beaten and robbed by bandits during a home invasion.

Several businesspeople from Chaguanas have also been robbed. Sachel Kungebeharry, a used car dealer, was kidnapped and killed. Central businessman Suvesh Ramnarine who was kidnapped by men dressed in police tactical wear was kidnapped in early October and remains missing.

Calls and messages sent to Mystar were not answered up to press time.