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OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has called on the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) to increase police patrols near mandirs as Hindus celebrate Maha Shiva­ratri tonight.

In a release yesterday, Persad-Bissessar said this was necessary to ensure devotees engage in their religious observances safely.

She said, “Last year, amid a dangerous surge in crime and violence, I called for increased security to be provided to devotees during this time. Notably, this year, nothing has changed, since Maha Shivaratri will be taking place during a state of emergency, purportedly called to address the ongoing unprecedented, pervasive crime and violence wave in Trinidad and Tobago.”