As investigations continue into the kidnapping of Chaguanas businessman Kartikey Ramsundar, hope that he will be found alive are said to be growing slim among family members, as no word has been received yet from the alleged kidnappers.
Guardian Media was told by police sources that no ransom has been demanded for his safe release and it is suspected that his Venezuelan workers may hold key information regarding his abduction.
On Wednesday around 2.50 pm, Ramsundar was allegedly beaten and kidnapped from his business place, Riverside Marina, located at Cacandee Road, Felicity.
Yesterday, during a visit to the business place, Guardian Media was met by locked gates.
A man later walked to one of the gates to open it to allow police officers in. However, when asked to comment on the kidnapping, he replied: “No hablo inglés.” (which means in English “No speak English.”).
Police said a few hours after Ramsundar was taken and bundled into a white SUV-type vehicle, that vehicle was found abandoned and burnt on Bernard Street in Felicity, a short distance away from his businessplace.
PNM Senator Avinash Singh, who resides in Felicity, described the kidnapping as “sad news.”
“I know the family well, very respected and good standing family, always engaged in community and social activities, his grandfather was and father is a contractor. It’s very sad news on what took place,” Singh said.
Chaguanas Mayor Faaiq Mohammed also described it as a “very sad situation,” adding he believes that “there seems to be an attack on the business community within Chaguanas in recent times.”
“There was a murder of a businessman in Enterprise. There was an incident in Felicity last month. There was a robbery at a grocery and one of our Borough workers was shot in this incident, and there was a home invasion last night (Wednesday) in Montrose.
“So it seems the criminal elements are taking advantage of the fiasco that is taking place with the T&T Police Service and the Police Service Commission. So I am calling on that to be resolved as soon as possible, because the TTPS needs strong leadership and when the criminal elements run rampant in Chagauanas, one has to wonder,” Mohammed said.
The Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC), in a release, extended its support to the family of Ramsundar.
With respect to CCTV cameras capturing only parts of the incident, CCIC president Richie Sookhai said they recently called for greater surveillance nationwide after the murder of Chaguanas businessman Ramnarace Nandoo, the owner of C’s Cuisine Corner and BBQ.