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Opposition leader set to make big announcement today

By Kim Boodram

OPPOSITION leader Dr Keith Rowley will today initiate a "mass mobilisation" as the People's National Movement (PNM) prepares to challenge the People's Partnership government over Section 34 of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Amendment Act 2012.

PNM chairman Franklin Khan yesterday issued a "teaser" of an announcement to be made by Rowley today at a 2 p.m. press conference at his Diego Martin office at La Horquette Road.

Speaking following the PNM's General Council meeting at Balisier House, Port of Spain, Khan said the council had resolved to pursue an explanation of the premature declaration of Section 34 and to continue the call for the resignations of Justice Minister Herbert Volney and Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.

The controversial Section 34 would have allowed people to have their cases thrown out ten years after the commission of the offence, once no trial had begun.

It created an outcry when United National Congress (UNC) financiers Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson applied to the Court to be discharged soon after it was proclaimed.

Following an emergency sitting of Parliament last Wednesday for the House of Representatives and on Thursday in the Senate, President George Maxwell Richards signed the Proclamation Order repealing Section 34.

He had proclaimed that clause just two weeks ago, on August 30.

Though Khan would not disclose the details of Rowley's plan of action, he said: "Expect mass mobilisation."

The PNM has also called for Volney and Ramlogan to be dismissed, should they refuse to resign.

PNM public relations officer, Senator Faris Al-Rawi, said yesterday the party's pursuit of answers in relation to Section 34 had nothing to do with any group of individuals who may have benefitted but was being done in the spirit of the need for transparency in government.

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