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Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar late Wednesday night issued a strongly worded statement defending the Government’s proposed Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) legislation, accusing critics of siding with violent criminals rather than crime victims.

In a statement released before 11 p.m., Persad-Bissessar lashed out at opponents of the bill currently before the Senate, describing them as “weak men and women” whose interventions, she said, appeared focused on protecting criminals and gang members.

“Over the past few days, during commentary on the zones of special operations bill, the country saw a parade of weak men and women opposing the bill and whose only goal appears to be the defence of violent criminals,” the Prime Minister said.