Within the hallowed compound of the Divali Nagar site in Chaguanas on Monday night, several patrons attending the Jack Warner-sponsored Independence Day fireworks display were seen drinking beer and eating bake and shark.

The National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC), the organisation responsible for the operations of the venue, prohibits alcoholic beverages and meat from being sold or consumed on the premises.

But there were stalls set up outside the venue where bake and shark was being sold. And patrons were seen drinking alcohol near a murti of the Hindu god, Lord Shiva, which overlooks the sacred compound.

A spokesperson for Warner said the Chaguanas West MP was unaware that fish and alcohol were being sold.

The NCIC said the organisers should have done more to prevent celebrants from entering the Nagar site with the fish and alcohol.

The Independence Day cultural show and fireworks display were ’gifts’ to the people living in Central Trinidad from Warner. The Divali Nagar site is located at Narsaloo Ramaya Road, Endeavour Road Extension, Chaguanas.

NCIC president Deokienanan Sharma said he was aware that alcohol and meat were being sold outside the compound.

’But we gave the organisers strict warnings in writing that signs should be put up to ensure that no one enters the compound with it.’

He said, ’There were no signs and people were seen coming into the venue with the alcohol and eating meat.’

Although there were many people at the venue, Sharma said, the organisers should have made an effort to prevent patrons from disobeying the rules in effect.

’The organisers would be informed of what happened and when they apply for the venue next year the executive would have to look at it closely. I don’t know if the executive would allow them access of the venue again,’ he said.

But Warner was not aware that the alcohol and meat had made their way inside the compound, an official at his office said yesterday.

The official said, ’We gave strict warnings not to allow anyone with alcohol or meat inside the venue. Some people came inside with the beers and we asked them to leave, we were very serious about that. We had strict guidelines and we did not know people were inside with alcohol and meat,’ she said.

The official said Warner was not available to comment on the matter and since she was part of the organising team she could speak on his behalf.