DENNIS Ramjattan, the son of San Fernando grandmother Carmen Ramjattan who was bludgeoned to death last week, is calling on the Government to implement the death penalty.

Ramjattan, 37, said the Government needs to take drastic measures to deal with criminals to protect law-abiding citizens.

Ramjattan said yesterday: "Regardless of which government is in power, the crime situation is getting worse, not better. It takes someone with testicular fortitude to implement the death penalty.

"Once you stand up for the right things, changes will occur. We, the law-abiding citizens, are the ones who live with burglar-proofing all around, but the criminals roam free. They are laughing at us. The criminals have a blatant disregard for the law."

Carmen Ramjattan, 70, was found dead last Wednesday night in her home at Sunkist Drive, Phillipine. She died after her assailant beat her on the head and fractured her spine, an autopsy found.

Her Nissan Almera motor car was stolen.

A suspect was arrested while driving it along the M2 Ring Road, Debe, last week. He remained in police custody yesterday.

Dennis Ramjattan said while human rights activists might object to the death penalty, the rights of the victims ought to also be considered. "What about the rights of the victims? Do they have rights as well? My mother didn't deserve to die like this," he said. "My mother never got into any trouble with the law, never even a parking violation. I would like them (the Government) to stop talking and put their money where their mouths are. They said crime was number one on their agenda when they spoke before elections. But what we need is less lip service and more action before anything can change."

In January 2012, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said her Government was working toward implementing the death penalty as part of a serious crime-reduction tool.

Persad-Bissessar had said the Constitution Capital Offences Bill 2011, which required a special majority in Parliament, did not receive the support of some members.