Former member of Parliament for Point Fortin Larry Achong went on trial yesterday for the second time, charged with cursing a pundit at a smelter meeting three years ago.
Achong was freed on the charge in 2007, but in June, the Court of Appeal ordered that Achong face a retrial before another magistrate. Yesterday, Achong gave evidence for the first time when the case began before Magistrate Lisa Hinds in the Point Fortin Second Court. Achong is accused of cursing Pundit Ganga Ramlakhan at Chatham Youth Camp in November 2006. The State called two witnesses–Pundit Ramlakhan and Insp Basdeo. Ramlakhan testified that Achong was seated in front of him at the Chatham Youth Camp. Ramlakhan said Achong touched him, beckoned him to come forward, then cursed him.
After the evidence of Insp Deonarine Basdeo, the State closed its case. Achong, however, testified that he was invited to the meeting by facilitator Andy Johnson's from TV 6. He said he was seated in the front row, but Ramlakhan was not seated behind him. "I saw Mr Ramlakhan in the back walking up and down...He was quite vocal and it was obvious he was anti-smelter," Achong said. He denied that he had consumed alcohol or touched and cursed the pundit. He said he knew Ramlakhan since 1997 when they worked at Dunlop Ltd. He recalled that workers had been retrenched and the Pundit was one of them. "I was responsible for some of the retrenchment, and the one in which Ramlakhan was retrenched," Achong said. The matter was adjourned to next week Wednesday.
