Senator Baig relives trauma as Pt Fortin backs stand-your-ground law

GOVERNMENT Senator Brian Baig showed his vulnerability on October 7 as he openly relived his own encounter with home invaders — an ordeal he said has scarred him for life — as well as the brutal murder of his aunt.

Baig bared it all while leading a discussion on the proposed stand-your-ground legislation at the Point Fortin Borough Corporation.

He was one of many who relived painful memories during the consultation, as dozens in the audience shared their experiences in support of the proposed law.

Among them was Bharat Gopaul, who recounted his agony from 35 years ago when bandits — including one out on bail — invaded his home twice within ten months. He said the men beat, robbed, and hogtied him and his then 76-year-old father, before setting their house on fire and leaving them to die.

Gopaul survived both ordeals but told the gathering he remains haunted by the trauma.

“The slightest odd sound I hear leaves me in fear,” he said, explaining why he now gives full support to the legislation proposed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for the safety and security of citizens.

“Thirty-five years later, I am still traumatised by that. If I had a firearm, I would have used it on them.”

When Baig asked how many in the audience were victims of crime, dozens raised their hands. The senator raised his as well, sharing that the incident robbed him of his sense of “manhood” and his role as protector.

“Your home is the one place you should feel safe, something you should be able to enjoy without fear of someone entering. It robs you of that form of security,” Baig said. “Every day I wake up at 3 am thinking that person is still in my home. It robs you of being a real man.”

Empathising with others, Baig also spoke of his aunt’s murder.

“Anyone remember a pensioner who was murdered in Couva in a home invasion where her throat was slit from ear to ear? That was my aunt, my father’s sister,” he said. He explained that the devout Muslim woman’s husband, who was recovering from heart surgery, was also bound and assaulted.

Heartbreaking testimonies poured out from Point Fortin residents during the session, which was hosted by MP Ernesto Kesar, Minister in the Ministry of Energy. Senator Darrel Allahar was scheduled to attend but was reassigned to Westmoorings following the tornado that damaged homes there earlier.

Garnett Thompson, who was the victim of a Christmas Eve 2024 home invasion, received loud applause when he challenged critics of the proposed law.

A father of three daughters, Thompson said he was forced to rush out in a jersey and briefs, unarmed, to confront thieves who had entered his home.

“If I had a weapon,” he declared, “I would have done what the then Opposition Leader and now Prime Minister said. I would have knock it on them, reload and empty the clip.”

Thompson said he has not cried over the incident, explaining that his daughters see him as their protector. “To cry,” he said, “would diminish the regard they hold for me.”

A few dissenting voices were also heard. Henry Miller and Ambokile Adio expressed concerns that the legislation could be abused.

Adio warned that the law could “give more wiggle room to people who are trigger happy,” and argued that “it is the State’s duty to protect citizens,” not individuals.

Baig agreed that the State bears that responsibility but said, “That was not done under the last administration – hence the reason this government is proposing this law.”

Miller admitted he had not read the draft bill but feared it was “a licence to put guns in everyone’s hands, creating a western town,” which could “diminish the value of life.”

He questioned, “Not everyone holding a licence would have the capacity to think rationally before firing. You would take a life for ‘stupidness’ like stealing a zaboca (avocado)? You would take a life for that?”

Another participant, Fitzroy Beache, admitted that in his youth, he had trespassed on people’s property to steal fruits. Comparing then to now, he said crime has worsened. “If anybody jump over my wall,” he warned, “you are guaranteed they would be leaving in a body bag.”

Kesar clarified that “this is not a gun bill” and urged citizens to read the proposal carefully.

“Everyone is entitled to their view,” he said, “but do not miss the point of the legislation, which is the right to defend one’s home and property.”

Waving a thick binder of newspaper clippings of crime victims, Baig appealed to citizens to reject the notion that the bill targets any group based on race, ethnicity, or political affiliation.